Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine is operative to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to stored data for an account authorized to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The automated banking machine is further operative to provide users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The automated banking machine is operative to cause the value of cash dispensed or received to be assessed or credited to the financial accounts corresponding to card data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofProvisional Application 61/518,292 filed May 3, 2011, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/459,185 filed Jun. 26, 2009 which claims benefit pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Applications 61/192,282 filed Sep. 17,2008; 61/133,477 filed Jun. 30, 2008; and 61/133,346 filed Jun. 27,2008, the disclosures of each of these Applications are alsoincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to banking systems controlled by data bearingrecords that may be classified in U.S. Class 235, Subclass 379.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines may include a card reader that operates toread data from a bearer record such as a user card. Automated bankingmachines may operate to cause the data read from the card to be comparedwith other computer stored data related to the bearer or their financialaccounts. The machine operates in response to the comparison determiningthat the bearer record corresponds to an authorized user or authorizedfinancial account, to carry out at least one transaction which may beoperative to transfer value to or from at least one account. A record ofthe transaction is also often printed through operation of the automatedbanking machine and provided to the user. Automated banking machines maybe used to carry out transactions such as dispensing cash, the making ofdeposits, the transfer of funds between accounts and account balanceinquiries. The types of banking transactions that may be carried out aredetermined by the capabilities of the particular banking machine andsystem, as well as the programming of the institution operating themachine.

Other types of automated banking machines may be operated by merchantsto carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include,for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks orother financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin, or othertransactions required by merchants. Still other types of automatedbanking machines may be used by service providers in a transactionenvironment such as a bank to carry out financial transactions. Suchtransactions may include for example, the counting and storage ofcurrency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing ofnotes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financialinstruments, and other types of transactions. For purposes of thisdisclosure an automated banking machine or an automated teller machine(ATM) shall be deemed to include any machine that may be used toautomatically carry out transactions involving transfers of value.

Automated banking machines may benefit from improvements.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of some exemplary embodiments to provide an improvedautomated banking machine.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that accepts and stores sheets such asfinancial instruments.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that accepts currency bills.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that accepts checks.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that stores received sheets in uniformlystacked relation.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that operates to store received sheets inuniformly stacked relation in removable cassettes.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide methodsof operation of an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide a methodfor servicing an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide anautomated banking machine that optimizes the capacity to store bills ina free fall cassette.

It is a further object of some exemplary embodiments to provide a freefall cassette in the chest of an automatic banking machine that can beeasily removed and installed for servicing.

Further objects of some exemplary embodiments will be made apparent inthe following Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and theappended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in one exemplary embodiment by anautomated banking machine system that operates responsive to databearing records. The exemplary machine is operative to read dataincluded on user cards as well as manually input data. The machineoperates to cause a determination to be made whether the input datacorresponds to a user and/or an account that is authorized to conducttransactions at the machine. Authorized users are enabled to conducttransactions such as receiving cash which results in funds being debitedto a financial account corresponding to the data included on the usercard.

Other transactions carried out in some exemplary embodiments include thedeposit of financial instrument sheets such as currency bills and/orchecks. The exemplary machine operates to receive a stack of such sheetsfrom a user who has been determined to be authorized to operate themachine. The sheets are unstacked and after being aligned, aretransported past a plurality of sensors. The sensors in exemplaryembodiments may operate to image the sheets. Such sensors may also sensemagnetic, ultraviolet and/or infrared properties or other detectableproperties associated with the sheets. The data gathered through readingthe sheets is used to determine data on the sheets and/or whether suchsheets are valid financial instruments such as bills or checks.

Sheets may be stored on a temporary basis. Sheets that are determined tobe invalid may be transported to a compartment so that they aresegregated from other sheets. Sheets that are requested to be returnedto the user may be transported back into the area of the original stackso that they may be taken by a user from the machine.

In some exemplary embodiments sheets that are determined to be valid aretransported into a secure chest. Depending on the nature of the sheet,sheets are routed selectively to compartments in sheet holdingcontainers.

In some exemplary embodiments the sheets in the container are maintainedin an aligned stack. Sheets entering the container are engaged and heldby at least one rotating gripper member that grips the sheet, moves thesheet through rotation of the member and releases the sheet in alignmentwith the stack. In an exemplary embodiment a plurality of belts androllers are used to urge movement of the sheet into the sheet holdingcompartment. Within each container the stack is supported on a moveableplate. The machine operates to move the plate so that the proper spacedrelationship is maintained between the rotating gripping member and thestack as sheets are added.

In some exemplary embodiments the removable containers include internalelements which are contactlessly sensed by the machine through sensorspositioned outside the containers. In exemplary embodiments the elementsinclude magnetic elements, but in other embodiments other types ofelements may be used. This feature of an exemplary embodiment providesfor accurate control of the rotating member, rollers and belts andpositioning of the stack support plate without the need for electricalcontacts or connectors between the removable container and the rest ofthe machine. Of course this approach is exemplary.

In the exemplary embodiment during transactions the containers arepositioned within a secure chest of the machine. The chest may be openedand the containers removed. The exemplary containers include lockabledoors which enable authorized persons to gain access to the sheetswithin the containers once they have been removed from the machine. Thusfor example, containers that have become close to filled may be removedby authorized persons and replaced with empty containers.

In other embodiments devices for both receiving and dispensing financialinstrument sheets may be provided. This may include recycling mechanismsthat operate to receive, store and dispense currency bills or othervaluable items. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automated banking machine that operatesresponsive to data included on user cards.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary fascia of an automated bankingmachine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary sheet accepting and storagesystem within the exemplary machine.

FIG. 4 is a back view of an exemplary machine.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a support and sheet transport module thatoperates to transport sheets between a sheet accepting module andstorage modules within a secure chest.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a housing structure including a slide-outtray used for holding storage containers within the secure chest.

FIG. 7 is an opposite hand isometric view showing the tray forsupporting sheet holding containers.

FIG. 8 is a back isometric view showing the tray in the extendedposition.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional bottom view of the tray including springstructures that facilitate removal of the containers.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a sheet directing transport which isoperative to direct sheets selectively to sheet holding containers.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an exemplary sheet holding container.

FIG. 12 is an opposite hand isometric view of the sheet holdingcontainer shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a bottom isometric view of the sheet holding container.

FIG. 14 is a further isometric view of the sheet holding containerincluding an exploded view of the sheet stacking components.

FIG. 15 is a back isometric view of the stack support plate within thesheet holding container.

FIG. 16 is an opposite hand back isometric view of the stack supportplate within the exemplary sheet holding container.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a nut portion engaged with a drive screwoperative to move the stack support plate.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the nutportion disengaged from the drive screw.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the drive gears of the machine anddisengageable couplings of an exemplary storage container.

FIG. 20 is a cutaway view of an exemplary sensor for contactlesslysensing the position of the stack plate.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an exemplary latch for holding a sheetholding container in an operative position.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing the sheet holding container rotated90 degrees from the operative position.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an intermodule sheet transport.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the intermodule sheet transport shown inFIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an expanded view of the intermodule sheet transport.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the intermodule sheet transport and drivegear.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the orientation of sheets passingout of the intermodule transport.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a right-hand bill stacking assemblyincluded in an exemplary sheet storage container.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the sheet stacking assembly shown in FIG.28.

FIG. 30 is a side view of an exemplary rotating member that is operativeto sense stack position and facilitate stacking sheets within the sheetholding container.

FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 but showing the projecting portionof the rotating member moved to a position for properly applyingpressure to a stack.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of exemplary signals generated by a Halleffect sensor based on the positions of the projecting portion in FIGS.30 and 31.

FIG. 33 is an exploded view of the components of the exemplary rotatingmember shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the exemplary rotating member with thecomponents in FIG. 33 in an assembled condition and showing the camfollowers extending from the rotating member.

FIG. 35 is an isometric exploded view of components of a rotating memberthat is operative to selectively hold, move and release sheets inengagement therewith.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of an exemplary indicating member operative toindicate the rotational position of the rotating members of the assemblyshown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 37 is an isometric view of the rotating member shown in FIG. 36.

FIGS. 38, 39 and 40 are opposite hand views of different stationary camsused in connection with the assembly shown in FIG. 38.

FIGS. 41 through 44 are schematic views of a sensing system forcontactlessly sensing the rotational position of a rotating assemblywithin an exemplary sheet holding cassette.

FIG. 45 is an isometric view of an opposite hand stacker wheel assemblyfrom that shown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 46 is an isometric exploded view of the stacker wheel assemblyshown in FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is an isometric view of the stacker wheel assembly and belt androller system for moving and stacking sheets in a sheet storagecontainer.

FIGS. 48 through 51 are side schematic views representative of theoperation of a rotating gripping member operating to engage and releasethe sheet and place it in aligned relation with a stack within the sheetholding container.

FIGS. 52 through 55 are plan views showing the configuration of theouter circumference of exemplary rotating members that facilitate sheetmovement through engagement of raised circumferential portions withdeformable rollers of the roller and belt assembly.

FIG. 56 is a rear and left side isometric view of a portion of anautomated banking machine of another exemplary embodiment showing anexemplary free fall cassette docked inside the chest.

FIG. 57 is a rear and left side isometric view showing a portion of aframe and related elements of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is a front and right side isometric view of the free fallcassette of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 59 is a front and right side isometric view of a portion of the topportion of the free fall cassette of the embodiment of FIG. 56 withportions removed for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 60 is a rear and right side isometric view of a portion of theportion of FIG. 59 with portions removed to illustrate elements of adrive arrangement.

FIG. 61 is a front and right side isometric view of a portion of theportion of FIG. 59 with portions removed to illustrate elements of agating system.

FIG. 62 is a schematic view of a portion of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 56 showing a controller electrically connected to related elementsof the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 63 is a front and right side view of a portion of the portion ofFIG. 59 with portions removed to illustrate elements of the gatingsystem.

FIG. 64 is a rear and left side isometric views of a portion of theportion of FIG. 61.

FIGS. 65 through 68 are right side views of a portion of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 56 showing the positions of the guides of the gatingsystem.

FIG. 69 is a right side sectional view of the free fall cassette of FIG.56.

FIG. 70 is a voltage-distance graph of a rear optical sensor sensingvarious heights of a bill stack in FIG. 69.

FIG. 71 is a right side section view of the free fall cassette of FIG.56 that does not include the exemplary arrangement illustrated in FIGS.72 and 73.

FIG. 72 is a right side sectional view of a portion of the free fallcassette of FIG. 56 illustrating the front portion of the cassette.

FIG. 73 is a right side sectional view of a portion of the free fallcassette of FIG. 56 illustrating the rear portion of the cassette.

FIGS. 74-77 are schematic side views of a portion of FIG. 73 showing thevarious stages of a bill interacting with a weighted ribbon assembly.

FIG. 78 is a left side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 79 is a top and left side exploded view of a portion of theembodiment of FIG. 56 showing a sensor plate assembly and free fallcassette.

FIGS. 80 and 81 are rear and left side isometric views of a portion ofthe embodiment of FIG. 56 showing the mounting of the sensor plateassembly to the frame.

FIG. 82 is a right side sectional view of a portion of the embodiment ofFIG. 56 showing the left slide assembly.

FIG. 83 is a left side sectional view of a portion of the embodiment ofFIG. 56 showing the right slide assembly.

FIG. 84 is a bottom and left side isometric view of the sensor plateassembly of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 85 is a rear and top isometric view of a portion of the embodimentof FIG. 56 illustrating the docking slot of the sensor plate assemblycapturing the shoulder screw of the cassette.

FIG. 86 is a rear and left side isometric view of a portion of thecassette of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 87 is a top and right side isometric view of the chest transportmechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 88 is a bottom and right side isometric view of the chest transportmechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 89 is a left side sectional view of the chest transport mechanismof the embodiment of FIG. 56.

FIG. 90 is a top sectional view of the chest transport mechanism of theembodiment of FIG. 56 taken through the center of the rollers.

FIGS. 91-94 are rear and left side isometric views similar to that ofFIG. 56 but showing the stages of the docking of the exemplary free fallcassette inside the chest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein an exemplary embodiment of an automated banking machinegenerally indicated 10. The exemplary machine includes a housing 12. Theexemplary housing 12 includes an upper housing portion 14 and a securechest portion 16. In this exemplary embodiment the automated bankingmachine is a through-the-wall type machine. However, in otherembodiments other types of machines including standalone machines ormachines integrated within other devices may be used. Exemplary housingstructures for automated banking machines which may be used in someembodiments are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,156,296; 7,156,297; 7,165,767;and 7,000,830 the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine includes auser interface generally indicated 18 (see also FIG. 2). The userinterface components are surrounded by a fascia 20. In the exemplaryembodiment the user interface components include input devices andoutput devices. The input devices include a card reader 22. The cardreader 22 of the exemplary embodiment is operative to read data fromuser cards that are input to the machine through an opening on thefascia. Other user input devices of the exemplary embodiment include akeypad 24. Keypad 24 is operative to receive manual inputs by depressingalphanumeric keys.

Other input devices of the exemplary embodiment include function keys26. Function keys 26 are manually actuated keys through which inputs canbe provided in response to indicia output through a display 28 whichserves as an output device. It should be understood that these inputdevices are exemplary and in other embodiments other types of inputdevices may be used. These include for example biometric reading deviceswhich are operative to read biometric features of users. Such biometricfeatures may include fingerprint scans, iris scans, retina scans orother distinguishing features. In some embodiments a camera such ascamera 30 shown in FIG. 2 may serve as a biometric input device. Otherinput devices which may be used in exemplary embodiments includecontactless readers such as radio frequency identification (RFID)readers which may operate to read bearer records or other identifyingdata from RFID tags. In other embodiments input devices may includevoice recognition devices which are operative to identify a user byvoice. Of course these features are exemplary and in other embodimentsother features may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine also includesa plurality of output devices. Such output devices may include a display28 as previously discussed. It should be understood that in someembodiments the display may include a touchscreen display at whichinputs may be provided by a user touching areas of the display.

Other output devices in the exemplary embodiment include speakers 32.Speakers 32 may be operative to provide audible instructions to machineusers. Another output device provided in an exemplary embodimentincludes a headphone jack 34. The headphone jack 34 may be used in theexemplary embodiment by persons who are blind and who may operate themachine responsive to instructions which are audibly output through aheadphone or similar device that is operatively connected to theheadphone jack.

Another output device included in an exemplary embodiment is a receiptprinter 36. The receipt printer 36 of the exemplary embodiment isoperative to print receipts for users of the machine. The receiptsinclude details of banking transactions that are conducted throughoperation of the machine. The receipt printer 36 delivers receiptsthrough a slot included on the fascia.

It should be understood that the output devices of the exemplaryembodiment are but examples of output devices that may be used inconnection with automated banking machines. In other embodiments otherdevices may be used.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine includes acash dispenser 38. The cash dispenser of the exemplary embodimentoperates to cause cash which is stored within the secure chest to bedelivered to a machine user outside the machine through a presenteropening 40. The exemplary cash dispenser is operative to pick currencybills from supplies of bills stored in containers in the chest andaccumulate such bills into a stack. Currency bills are alternativelyreferred to herein as notes. The stack is thereafter delivered to themachine user. Exemplary cash dispensers are operative to deliver varioustypes of currency bills as well as other financial instrument sheets.Various cash dispensers may also operate to deliver other types of sheetmaterial as well. Examples of cash dispensers which may be used inexemplary embodiments are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,344,132; 7,322,481;7,121,461; 7,131,576; 7,140,537; 7,144,006; 7,140,607; 7,004,383;7,000,832; 6,874,682; and 6,634,636 the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Although not specifically discussed in connection with this exemplaryembodiment, embodiments of automated banking machines may also includedepository devices. Such depository devices are operative to receivevarious deposited items from users. Examples of depository devices areshown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,156,295; 7,137,551; 7,150,394; and 7,021,529the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine furtherincludes a currency accepting device generally indicated 42. Thecurrency accepting device includes a currency evaluation module 44. Thecurrency evaluation module of the exemplary embodiment operates in amanner hereinafter described. The currency evaluation module isoperative to receive a stack of sheets such as currency bills and toevaluate such bills for properties of genuineness or other features. Thecurrency evaluation module of the exemplary embodiment is positioned inthe upper housing 14 (see FIG. 4). The currency evaluation moduleoperates to accept and deliver sheets to users through a fascia opening46.

The exemplary embodiment of the currency accepting device 42 furtherincludes a storage assembly 48. The storage assembly 48 of the exemplaryembodiment is generally positioned in the secure chest 16.

In the exemplary embodiment which is shown from the back in FIG. 4, thesecure chest is an L-shaped chest. The chest may include featuresdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,830, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The L-shaped chestincludes a safe door 50. The safe door 50 may be held in a lockedposition through an associated lock 52. The lock 52 may be operative tocontrol the locked and unlocked condition of a boltwork that isoperative to securely hold the safe door in a closed position or toenable the safe door to be opened. As shown in FIG. 4 in the exemplaryembodiment the currency evaluation module 44 is positioned outside thechest portion. The currency evaluation module may be accessed through anappropriate access door or similar structure 54. Access door 54 may beheld in the closed position through operation of a lock 56. Further inthe exemplary embodiment items that are positioned in the upper housing14 may be secured against access by unauthorized persons through a lock60. Of course it should be understood that these structures areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine includes atleast one terminal controller 62 which may be alternatively referred toherein as a computer or a processor. The terminal controller 62 is inoperative connection with at least one data store 64. Data store 64 inthe exemplary embodiment is comprised of computer readable media whichis operative to store computer executable instructions and data whichare used by the controller to operate the machine. In exemplaryembodiments the computer readable media may include hard drives, flashmemory, DVDs, CDs, magnetic media, optical media, solid state memory orother articles suitable for holding computer executable instructions. Itshould be understood that although in the exemplary embodiment a singlecontroller and data store is schematically shown other embodiments mayinclude numerous processors and data stores. For example someembodiments may include features described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,264,101and/or 6,131,809 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. The at least one terminal processor and atleast one associated data store may also be referred to herein ascontrol circuitry.

In the exemplary embodiment the terminal controller is operative tocommunicate with transaction function devices in the machine which areschematically referred to as 66. Transaction function devices 66 of theexemplary embodiment include devices of the automated banking machinethat operate responsive to at least one terminal controller. In theexemplary embodiment the transaction function devices include a cardreader, keypad, function keys, receipt printer, cash dispenser, currencyaccepting device and other devices that are operated in or in connectionwith the automated banking machine. It should be understood that thesedevices are merely exemplary and in other embodiments additional,different or lesser numbers of transaction function devices may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the transaction function devices communicatethrough an interface bus schematically indicated 68. In the exemplaryembodiment the interface bus 68 may include a universal serial bus(USB). The messages which control operation of the various transactionfunction devices as well as the messages therefrom as well as messagesfrom the terminal controller pass through the interface bus. Of courseit should be understood that different types of interface buses andcommunications and methodologies may be used in embodiments of automatedbanking machines.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine furtherincludes a communications device schematically indicated 70. Thecommunications device is suitable for providing communications betweenthe machine and remote computers through one or more networksschematically indicated 72. Communication device 70 may include asuitable network communication card, modem, wireless communicationdevice or other suitable device for communicating messages to and fromthe machine. Further exemplary embodiments may use proprietary networks,public networks or even the Internet for purposes of communication.

In the exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine 10communicates with at least one remote computer that operates to carryout financial transfers of funds to, from and/or between accounts. Thesemay be for example, computers located in a banking institutionschematically indicated 74. Remote computer 74 may also include forexample, remote computers operative to carry out credit transactions orother transactions including transfers of funds.

In some exemplary embodiments the automated banking machine may utilizeprinciples for communication with remote computers and other featuresshown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,159,144; 7,162,449; 7,093,749; 7,039,600;7,261,626; and/or 7,333,954 the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Of course in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In still other exemplary embodiments the automated banking machine mayoperate so as to enable users to receive marketing or other messages.This may be done in a manner like that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,379,893the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition exemplary embodiments may communicate with systems that enablenotification of remote servicers or other entities that help to maintainthe automated banking machine in an operative condition. Communicationswith such entities may be accomplished in the manner shown in U.S. Pat.No. 7,366,646 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Exemplary embodiments of the automated banking machine may also haveoperating in the terminal controller, diagnostic software applicationsthat are suitable for facilitating diagnosis and cure of conditions thatmay occur at the automated banking machine. This may be done for examplein the manner described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,104,441; 7,163,144;7,093,749; and/or 6,953,150 the entire disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

In addition the automated banking machine may operate to capture imagesof users of the machine so as to provide records of functions carriedout and/or to identify particular users that may conduct transactions atthe machine. This may be done through operation of the terminalcontroller and/or by communication through the terminal controller orother processor with remote networks. Some embodiments may operate in amanner that employs the principles described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,147the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Of course it should be understood that the features described areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In conducting transactions through operation of the exemplary embodimentof the automated banking machine the currency accepting device mayoperate to receive one or a stack of currency bills through the fasciaopening 46. It should be understood that the fascia opening iscontrolled by a suitable door or gate 76. The gate is operative toprevent access through the opening 46 except at appropriate times whentransactions are being conducted by authorized users. Currency billsinput through the opening are engaged by a stack handling mechanism 78.The exemplary stack handling mechanism is operative to receive a stackof bills from the user as well as to present bills to a user. In theexemplary embodiment the stack handling mechanism may be of the typeshown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/983,410 filed Nov. 8, 2007the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.Alternatively the stack handling mechanisms may be of the type shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,983,880 and/or 6,109,522 the entire disclosures of eachof which are incorporated herein by reference. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

Stacks of currency sheets input to the exemplary embodiment areseparated one by one from the stack through operation of a pickermechanism schematically indicated 80. The exemplary picker mechanismoperates using the principles of the incorporated disclosures such thatthe currency bills are moved and separated one at a time from the stack.Further in exemplary embodiments double bills that may be picked areseparated from one another and/or returned to the stack so that effortscan be made to separate each bill individually.

Bills that have been separated from the stack are moved into a documentalignment mechanism schematically indicated 82. The document alignmentmechanism 82 is operative to orient the currency bills in registrationwith the sheet path so as to facilitate the analysis thereof. Documentalignment mechanism 82 may include features like those shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,213,746 and/or 6,109,522 the entire disclosures of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

Once documents have been aligned by the document alignment device 82,documents are passed through a sensing module 84. Sensing module 84 ofan exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of different types ofsensors. These may include for example, sensors that are operative toimage a document or portions thereof. They may also include sensors thatdetect reflectance from and transmission of radiation through variousareas on the document. Such sensors may further include magneticsensors, fluorescence sensors, RFID sensors, ultrasonic sensors or othersensors suitable for detecting characteristics that may be used todetermine the genuineness or other properties of currency bills or othersheets that are passed through the sensing module. Exemplary sensingmodules may include for example features and principles such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,366,250 and/or 6,774,986 the disclosuresof each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Of course itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Currency bills that have been moved through the sensing module 84 arepassed along a transport and selectively directed by one or more gatesschematically indicated 86 to desired locations or devices within themachine. For example in some exemplary modes of operation, currencybills that have passed through the sensing module 84 may be directed forstorage on a storage device schematically indicated 88. In the exemplaryembodiment the storage device may comprise a belt type recycler. Thebelt type recycler may be operative to store each currency bill in thesequence received, and then to subsequently deliver those currency billsin a last in/first out sequence. Exemplary storage devices may includefeatures like those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,446 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. Of course the belt typerecycler described is exemplary and other devices and other types ofstorage and recovery systems may be used.

In other modes of operation gates 86 may be operative to direct currencybills along a transport that causes such bills to be returned to thestack handling mechanism 78. This may be done for example incircumstances where it is determined that the particular sheet is ablank sheet or other sheet that is not of a type that can be accepted bythe machine. As a result the sheet may be immediately rejected andreturned to the stack handling mechanism 78 which may operate inresponse to the terminal controller to return the sheet to a user. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary.

In still other embodiments the terminal controller may operate to causea gate 90 to direct selected sheets to a document segregationcompartment 92. Document segregation compartment 92 may be used in someembodiments for storage of sheets that are determined to be counterfeitthrough operation of the sensing module. Alternatively or in addition insome embodiments the document segregation compartment may be used forstoring sheets that are suspect as potentially counterfeit, or othertypes of sheets that are not acceptable to the machine. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

In the exemplary embodiment one or more gates 86 may also operate todirect sheets from the currency evaluation module to an intermoduletransport 94. The intermodule transport 94 in the exemplary embodimentis operative to accept sheets from the currency evaluation module anddeliver them into the storage assembly 48. As can be appreciated, in theexemplary embodiment the intermodule transport 94 is operative to enablesheets to be moved from the currency evaluation module 42 which in theexemplary embodiment is outside the chest, into the interior area of thesecure chest.

Documents that move through the intermodule transport are engaged with asheet directing assembly 96. Exemplary sheet directing assembly 96 isoperative to selectively direct sheets responsive to communication withthe at least one terminal controller to cause sheets to be directed andstored in selected storage locations. In the exemplary embodiment theseselected locations include a sheet holding compartment in a firstremovable sheet stacking container 98 or within a sheet holdingcompartment in a second removable sheet stacking container 100.Alternatively in the exemplary embodiment the sheet directing assemblymay direct sheets to a middle storage location schematically indicated102. Of course these structures and configurations are exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

In exemplary embodiments operation of the currency accepting deviceincludes receiving a stack of currency bills from a user into themachine. After each sheet has been aligned by the document alignmentmechanism and moved past the sensing devices in the sensing module, thesheets are directed to the storage device where they are stored pendinganalysis of the sheets and/or other transaction steps or determinationsmade through operation of the terminal controller and/or other connectedsystems. This includes for example evaluating each sheet forgenuineness, determining the denomination of each currency bill,evaluating features of the sheet that may indicate that it iscounterfeit or suspect, or other steps. Such determinations may alsoinclude receiving inputs from a user confirming the value of sheetsincluded in the transaction, indicating whether the user wishes todeposit the sheets, and other inputs.

In an exemplary mode of operation, sheets stored in the storage devicethat are to be deposited may be directed through operation of the one ormore gates 86 into the storage assembly 48 where they are selectivelyrouted to an appropriate storage container for the particular type ofsheet, or to the middle storage compartment. Further in the exemplarymode of operation, counterfeit or suspect counterfeit sheets aredirected from the storage device 88 to the document segregationcompartment 92. Other sheets that are not routed to other areas may bereturned to the user. This may be done for example by returning thesheets to the stack handling mechanism 78 and presenting those sheets tothe user through the opening 46.

In addition exemplary embodiments may operate in accordance withfeatures of the incorporated disclosures to allow a user to request areturn of all of the currency bills or other sheets that they haveplaced in the machine. This may be done for example in response to userinputs if the user decides that the type and character of the sheetsthey have deposited do not correspond with the automated banking machinedetermination concerning the nature of the sheets. Alternatively and/orin addition the terminal controller may provide a user with outputs thatcorrespond to options including for example the ability to resubmit forfurther evaluation by the machine, those sheets which the machine wasnot able to validate as genuine sheets during an initial analysis. Ofcourse numerous approaches may be taken based on the programming of theparticular terminal controller.

It should further be understood that although the exemplary embodimentsof the currency accepting device 42 is described with reference tohandling currency bills, other embodiments may operate using thedescribed features for handling other types of financial instruments orother sheets. These may include for example the handling and analysis ofchecks such as have been described in the incorporated disclosures. Forexample some exemplary embodiments may receive, evaluate and storefinancial checks. Other exemplary embodiments may operate to receive andstore both checks and currency bills. Other exemplary embodiments mayoperate to receive, analyze and store other types of sheets such asmoney orders, travelers checks, gaming materials, vouchers, script, giftcertificates, gift cards, or other sheets associated with transactions.Of course these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

It should further be understood that exemplary embodiments may alsoincorporate sheet recycling principles of the types described in theincorporated disclosures. This may include for example receivingfinancial instrument sheets such as currency bills from a particularuser and storing valid bills within the machine. Thereafter other userswho may be requesting to receive cash from the automated banking machineare dispensed the currency bills that the machine has previouslyreceived from other users and determined to be valid. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the exemplary intermodule transport 94 which is insupporting connection with a box frame 104. In the operative positionbox frame 104 in the exemplary embodiment is positioned within thesecure chest. The upper portion of the box frame includes an opening 106through which the intermodule transport extends. As best shown in FIG. 6box frame 104 includes slides 108, 110. The slides are in movablesupporting connection with a tray 112. Tray 112 in the exemplaryembodiment operatively supports removable stacking containers 98 and 100as well as the sheet directing assembly 96. As shown in FIG. 6 a latch114 is in operative connection with the tray 112. When the tray is inits retracted position within the secure chest, actuation of the latch114 is operative to release the tray such that the tray can be extendedoutward when the chest door is open in supporting connection with theslides. This is represented schematically in FIG. 8. Further as can beappreciated in the exemplary embodiment with the tray 112 extended to aposition outside the chest, the removable containers 98 and 100 can beremoved from engagement with the tray 112. In addition with thecontainers removed, a door 116 can be opened such that a personservicing the machine can gain access to those sheets which have beenmoved into the middle compartment 102.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 7 exemplary tray 112 includes a lowfront wall 118 and a relatively higher back wall 120. As best shown inFIG. 9 in the exemplary embodiment front wall 118 is angled generallyoutward. This construction in the exemplary embodiment facilitatesmoving the containers 98, 100 angularly away at the top from the backwall 120 to facilitate the removal thereof. Further as shown in FIG. 9the lower surface of tray 112 of the exemplary embodiment includesintegral leaf springs 122. The integral leaf springs 122 are configuredso as to facilitate biasing the containers so as to move away from theback wall at the top. Of course this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

As can be seen in FIG. 7 the tray 112 further includes side walls 124.The side walls of the exemplary embodiment along with the front wall118, back wall 120 and sheet directing assembly 96 are operative tobound an area 126 for releasibly holding container 98. Likewise on anopposed side of the sheet directing assembly the front wall 118, backwall 120 and side wall 124 bound an area 128. Area 128 is configured forreleasibly accepting container 100 when door 116 is in the closedposition. Of course this configuration is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary sheet directing assembly 96 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 10. Sheets that have passed through the intermodule transport 94enter the sheet directing assembly 96 through an opening in the topthereof and pass between rolls 130, 132. The entry of sheets between therolls through the top opening is represented by arrow I. Sheet directinggates 134, 136 are in operative connection with suitable actuators so asto selectively position the gates responsive to signals from theterminal controller. In the condition shown in FIG. 10, gates 134 and136 are positioned such that sheets entering the sheet directingassembly are caused to move to the right as shown and into sheet holdingcontainer 100. Thus in this condition sheets that enter the assembly 96are so directed until the conditions of gates 134 and 136 are changed.

In response to appropriate signals the positions of the gates may bereversed such that sheets entering assembly 96 may be directed to theleft as shown through an outlet opening in the sheet directing assemblyand into the container 98. In addition in the exemplary embodiment thegates may be controlled such that sheets entering the sheet directingassembly may pass in a straight through manner into the middle storagecompartment 102. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

As can be appreciated sheets that pass from the intermodule transport 94into the sheet directing assembly 96 move downward through a gap ingenerally unsupported relation. Further as can be appreciated becausethe intermodule transport and sheet directing assembly are relativelymovable, the intermodule transport and sheet directing assembly may notnecessarily always be precisely positioned. The movement of sheets intothe sheet directing assembly is facilitated through the use of inwarddirected guides 138. Guides 138 cooperate with the engaging action ofrollers 130, 132 to draw sheets into the pinch area between the rollers.This helps to assure that sheets may reliably pass even in conditionswith minor misalignment.

The exemplary intermodule transport 94 further facilitates the passageof sheets both from the currency evaluation module 44 outside the chestthrough an opening in the chest wall and into the sheet directingassembly. The exemplary intermodule transport 94 is shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 23 through 27. As represented schematically in FIG. 23the intermodule transport includes a pair of rolls 140, 142. The rolls140 and 142 support thereon continuous belts which in the exemplaryembodiment comprise ultrahigh molecular weight urethane. In thisexemplary embodiment the belts 144 and 146 operate in direct contactwith one another to move sheets therebetween. Belts 144 and 146 areoperative to move sheets from an inlet nip 148 to an outlet 150. Furtherin the exemplary embodiment the intermodule transport 94 is operative toprovide a generally 90 degree turn for sheets passing therethrough. Thisconfiguration reduces the risk that criminals who may gain access to theupper housing portion of the machine can fish out currency notes thatare stored within the chest. This is because the opening between thebelts is offset from the opening on the top of the sheet directingassembly 96. Further the structure of the sheet holding containers ofthe exemplary embodiment generally prevent access by criminal tools fromthe opening in the safe in which the intermodule transport ispositioned, to the interior of the cassettes where substantialquantities of sheets are generally held. Further the exemplary structureof the intermodule transport facilitates passing sheets through arelatively thick safe wall at the top of the chest portion.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the rolls140 and 142 provide a relatively wide area in which sheets may engagethe rolls and be drawn between the belts. In addition the exemplaryembodiment includes a slight gap in the area between the rolls tofurther facilitate drawing in the sheets. As can be seen, as the sheetsare moved into the transport from the inlet nip 148, the gap between thebelts in the undeformed condition closes so as to facilitate thepositive transport of the sheets. As can be appreciated the exemplaryembodiment of the currency evaluation module 44 is relatively movablewith regard to the supporting surface of the L-shaped chest. Inexemplary embodiments the module is made relatively movable by beingsupporting on slides or other suitable movable guides. Thus, the modulethrough movement may become slightly misaligned relative to theintermodule transport. The exemplary configuration of the intermoduletransport compensates for such misalignment.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the intermodule transport includes adrive gear 152. The drive gear 152 is operative to engage a mating gearon the currency evaluation module 44. The mating gear on the currencyevaluation module operates to provide power in the form of rotationalmovement to the drive gear of the intermodule transport. Thus, thecurrency evaluation module is able to control the transport of sheetsmechanically through the intermodule transport. Due to the potentialvariance in position of the currency evaluation module, the exemplarydrive gear 152 is mounted in supporting connection with a rotatablesupport 154. The rotatable support 154 is rotatable about a shaft 156 asbest shown in FIG. 26. Also supported in rotatable connection with shaft156 is a driven gear 158. Due to this mounting structure drive gear 152is rotatable about driven gear 158. The driven gear 158 is in operativeconnection with a pulley which drives a belt 160 which in turn drivesthe belts 144, 146 of the intermodule transport.

A spring 162 is operative to bias the rotatable support 154 in acounterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 23. In the exemplaryembodiment when the currency evaluation module is moved inward into thehousing of the machine, the gear thereon engages drive gear 152 andmoves it clockwise with the rotatable support against the force of thespring 162. As can be appreciated the position in which the currencyevaluation module is placed in position for operation can be variedsomewhat linearly as long as the drive gear 152 is engaged with themating gear on the module. Thus a relatively large amount of variance inthe operative position of the module may occur while still providingeffective operation of the intermodule transport. Of course thisapproach is exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

The exemplary intermodule transport further includes outlet rolls 164,166. Outlet rolls 164 and 166 are operative to support belts 144 and 146and engage bills that pass from the outlet 150. In the exemplaryembodiment rolls 164 are supported on a relatively movable shaft whichis biased toward engagement with rolls 166. Further in the exemplaryembodiment outlet rolls 164 and 166 have foam rollers 168 positionedadjacent thereto on the roller support shafts. As best shown in FIG. 27the foam rollers are operative to impart a cross-sectional waveconfiguration to sheets such as sheet 170 which pass therethrough. Thiscross-sectional wave configuration provides rigidity to the sheets tofacilitate movement of the sheets from the outlet 150 and into theopening 172 at the top of sheet directing assembly 96. Of course thisapproach is exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

FIGS. 11 through 14 show an exemplary embodiment of sheet stackingcontainer 98. It should be understood that in the exemplary embodimentsheet stacking container 100 is generally constructed in a mannersimilar to container 98 but is a mirror image thereof. Container 98includes a body 174. The exemplary body is comprised of plastic,aluminum or other material that enables sensing magnetic fieldstherethrough. Body 174 includes a front opening 176. In exemplaryembodiments opening 176 may be selectively closed by one or more doors178 schematically shown in FIG. 12. In addition in the exemplaryembodiment the door 178 includes a lock 180 so that only authorizedpersons are enabled to gain access to the sheet holding compartmentgenerally indicated 182 that is within the interior area of the body.

The exemplary container further includes an external handle 184. Handle184 is a rotating handle that can be lifted to facilitate removal of thecontainer 98 from engagement with tray 112. In addition as best shown inFIG. 12 container 98 includes an opening 186. Opening 186 enables sheetsfrom the sheet directing assembly 96 to pass inwardly into the sheetholding compartment of container 98.

The exemplary container 98 includes a sheet supporting plate 188. Plate188 is operative to support a stack of sheets in supporting connectiontherewith above the plate. The plate 188 includes openings therethrough190. Support rods 192 extend through the openings 190. As best shown inFIGS. 15 and 16 two pairs of spaced gear racks 194 extend within thecontainer. Each pair of gear racks engages a set of gears 196. Gear sets196 operatively extend between each pair of gear racks 194 at eachlateral side of the plate 188. At least one of the gears in each gearset on a lateral side of the plate 188 is connected through a shaft toanother gear included in the gear set on an opposed side of plate 188.As a result the connected gear sets constrain the plate 188 to move in auniform and level manner in a direction perpendicular to the gear racks.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 the exemplary plate 188 is in operativeconnection with an internal drive. The drive includes a rotatable screw198. The drive which includes the screw also includes at least one gearwhich is engageable through a wall in the cassette with a driving gearoutside the cassette as later discussed. As a result the drive withinthe cassette is able to move the plate selectively within the interiorof the container responsive to rotation of the screw 198.

In the exemplary embodiment the plate is in operative connection with amanually actuatable lever 200. In exemplary embodiments the manuallyactuatable lever 200 is positioned below the plate. The lever 200includes outward extending tabs 202 which can be displaced toward theplate 188.

Displacement of the lever 200 through movement of the tabs is operativeto change the engaged relation of a plate and the drive. This is done inthe exemplary embodiment as schematically represented in FIGS. 17 and18. In the exemplary embodiment a nut portion 204 is biased to engagescrew 198 of the drive. Nut portion 204 of the exemplary embodimentincludes a half nut with threads thereon that are configured to engagethe threads of the screw. As a result when the nut portion 204 and thescrew 198 are engaged the plate moves in response to rotation of thescrew. Likewise when the screw is stationary the plate is likewise heldin a fixed position.

Moving the tabs 202 of the lever 200 toward the plate 188 causes the nutportion 204 to move so as to disengage the screw 198. This isschematically represented in FIG. 18. As a result the plate 188 can beselectively positioned within the interior of the container. Thus forexample in situations where a servicer may wish to remove a stack ofaccumulated sheets from within the sheet holding compartment within thecontainer, the support plate may be moved so as to facilitate theremoval of sheets from the container. Likewise after the sheets havebeen removed the servicer may selectively position the plate so as toput it in a position where it is closer to the opening in the containerso as to be more readily positioned to accept more sheets. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the nut portion 204 is movablysupported through guide slots 206 in a bracket 208. A spring 210operates to provide biasing force that causes the nut portion 204 to bein engagement with the screw 198 of the drive when the tabs 202 are notmoved toward the plate. Of course it should be understood that thisconstruction is exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

As shown in FIG. 22 the container 98 of the exemplary embodimentincludes a rear wall 212. The rear wall includes an opening 214. Opening214 provides access to a gear 216. Gear 216 is a part of the drive formoving the plate 188. Gear 218 in the exemplary embodiment is inoperative connection with screw 198.

Opening 214 is aligned with a driving gear 218. Gear 218 extendsoutwardly from the back wall 120 of the tray 112. This can beappreciated from FIG. 22 in which container 98 is shown rotated 90degrees relative to the back wall, and the sheet directing assembly isnot shown for purposes of showing the mating engagement of components ofthe exemplary storage assembly. When the container 98 is in theoperative position gear 218 engages gear 216 of the drive positionedwithin the cassette. The motor or other movement device which isoperative to drive gear 218 can thereby relatively position plate 188within the cassette.

As is further shown in FIG. 22 rear wall 212 includes openings 220 and222. Openings 220 and 222 each provide access to a disengageable shaftcoupling 224 and 226 respectively. Shaft couplings 224 and 226 aretoothed couplings which are each in respective connection with rotatableshafts that extend in the container for purposes which are laterexplained. In the operative position of the container 98, coupling 224is operatively engaged with a rotatable drive gear 228 and coupling 226is engaged with a drive gear 230. Drive gears 228 and 230 areselectively rotatable through operation of one or more drives such asmotors that operate responsive to signals received from the terminalcontroller. The engagement of the drive gears and couplings is furtherrepresented in FIG. 19.

In the exemplary embodiment an aligning projection 232 extends outwardfrom the back wall 120. The aligning projection is configured to engagein mating relation an alignment recess 234 in the rear wall 212 ofcontainer 98. In the exemplary embodiment the aligning projection andrecess engage prior to the gears and facilitate the mating engagementthereof as the rear wall of the container is brought into closeproximity with the back wall 120 of the tray. Of course this approach isexemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary container 98 further includes a latching recess 236. Thelatching recess 236 is sized for engaging a latching finger 238. Thelatching finger 238 is biased to extend in a downward position and topositively engage and hold the container 98 in an operative positionsuch that gears 218 and 216 are engaged and drive gears 228 and 230 areengaged with couplings 224 and 226. In the exemplary embodiment thelatching finger 238 is operative to biasingly engage a latch member 240which is accessible through the latching recess 236. In the exemplaryembodiment once the latching finger 238 engages the latch member thecontainer 98 is held in the operative position.

In the exemplary embodiment a manually engageable release lever 242 isin operative connection with the latching finger 238. Relative downwardmovement of the release lever 242 in the configuration shown isoperative to cause the latching finger 238 to move upward so as todisengage from the latch member of the container. Further in theexemplary embodiment a leg portion 244 is also in operative connectionwith the release lever. Movement of the release lever to disengage thelatch member is further operative to cause the leg portion to moveoutward through an opening 246 in the back wall 120. In the exemplaryembodiment the leg portion 244 operates to push against rear wall 212 ofthe container. This along with the action of the leaf springs 122 on thetray is operative to cause the upper portion of the container to bemoved away from the back wall 120. As a result the handle 184 can bereadily lifted and the container moved upward to disengage from thetray.

Likewise when the container is to be engaged in position the containermay be placed in supporting connection with the tray and the upperportion of the container moved toward the back wall 120 until thelatching finger 238 engages the latch. Once the container has been movedto this position and the tray is moved inward into the operativeposition within the secure chest, the container is ready for operation.Of course as can be appreciated, in the exemplary embodiment the safedoor of the chest must be opened by authorized personnel before the tray112 can be extended therefrom so as to enable access to the containers98 and 100 so that the containers may be removed or installed. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary, and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

As shown in FIG. 14 cassette 98 further includes a sheet stackingassembly generally indicated 248 in the interior thereof. In theexemplary embodiment the sheet stacking assembly 248 includes a supportframe 250. Frame 250 is operative to support a flip shaft assembly 252which is rotatable in bearings 254 which extend in openings from theframe. The releasible coupling 224 is in operative connection with theflip shaft assembly 252.

An idler shaft assembly 256 is supported on bearings 258 that extend inopenings in frame 250. Each of the flip shaft assembly and idler shaftassembly includes corresponding rollers 260. Each of rollers 260 supporta corresponding continuous belt 262. Belts 262 in the exemplaryembodiment include outward extending cleats 264 thereon. In the positionshown a lower belt flight of each of belts 262 extend in facing relationwith plate 188.

The exemplary sheet stacking assembly further includes a stacker wheelassembly 266. Stacker wheel assembly 266 is rotatable in bearings 268which extend in corresponding openings in frame 250. The releasiblecoupling 226 is in operative connection with stacker wheel assembly 266and is operative to cause rotation thereof.

The exemplary embodiment further includes within the container a guide270. Guide 270 includes fingers that are operative to direct sheetswhich move into the opening 186 in the container for purposes that arelater discussed. The interior of the container also includes a bracket272 which is operative to hold the support rods 192 previouslydiscussed. Of course it should be understood that these structures areexemplary and in other embodiments other structures and approaches maybe used.

FIG. 47 shows the exemplary embodiment of stacker wheel assembly 266,flip shaft assembly 252, idler shaft assembly 256 and belts 264. As canbe seen the stacker wheel assembly 266 includes a plurality of rotatingmembers. In the exemplary embodiment the rotating members include a pairof gripper members 274. The rotating members further include a sensingmember 276. The stacker wheel assembly further includes an indicatingmember 278. Each of the rotating members 274, 276 and 278 are inoperatively fixed connection with a common shaft 280 which extends alongan axis 281 and is selectively rotatable through coupling 226.

The exemplary flip shaft assembly 252 includes the pulleys 260 whichsupport belts 264 thereon. In addition in the exemplary embodiment theflip shaft assembly includes three deformable rollers 282. In theexemplary embodiment the deformable rollers are comprised of foammaterial. However, in other embodiments other materials as well as otherrelatively deformable structures may be used. The deformable rollers 282and pulleys 260 are in operatively fixed connection with a common shaft284 that is rotated through coupling 224. As can be seen, in theexemplary embodiment the belts 264 extend in intermediate relationbetween adjacent rotating members. The deformable rollers 282 arepositioned so as to be aligned with rotating members and in some angularpositions of the rotatable members are biased toward an engaged positionwith the adjacent rotatable members.

In the exemplary embodiment stationary members 286, 288, 290 and 292extend between the rotating members. Each of the stationary members havecams supported thereon. The cams which comprise surfaces of the membersoperate to control movable components of the respective adjacentrotating members in a manner that is later discussed in detail. Furtheras shown in FIG. 46 gripper members 274 include cam followers 294 whichextend laterally outward from each side thereof. The cam followersengage adjacent cams 296, 298 in the case of one gripper member 274, andcams 300 and 302 in the case of another gripper member. Likewise sensingmember 276 includes cam followers 304 that extend generally axiallyoutward therefrom and engage cams 306 and 308 that extend on opposedsides thereof. Of course it should be understood that these approachesare exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment indicating member 278 includes a pair ofindicating element portions 310. Indicating element portions in theexemplary embodiment comprise magnetic elements which are embedded indiametrically opposed positions on the periphery of the indicatingmember 278.

In the exemplary embodiment a contactless sensor such as a Hall effectsensor is positioned outside of the container on a face of the sheetdirecting assembly 96. In the operative position of the container theHall effect sensor is operative to sense the varying magnetic fieldcaused as the magnet passes in proximity to the Hall effect sensor.Further in the exemplary embodiment the poles of each magnetic elementare at opposed positions tangentially to an outer circumferentialsurface of the indicating member. This facilitates sensing the movementof the magnetic element as it passes the adjacent sensor. Thus in theexemplary embodiment the external sensor is enabled to detect in anelectrically contactless manner the stacker wheel assembly in twodiametrically opposed rotational positions. This avoids the need forreleasible electrical connections between the removable containers andthe rest of the machine. Of course this approach for detecting therotational position of the stacker wheel assembly is exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

FIGS. 48 through 51 show the operation of the exemplary flip shaftassembly 252 and stacker wheel assembly 256 in moving and stackingsheets. In an exemplary operation a sheet such as a currency bill 312 isdirected by the sheet directing assembly 96 toward the container 98. Thesheet 312 passes through an opening generally indicated 314 in the sheetdirecting assembly. A sensor 316 operates to sense a leading edge of thesheet 312 passing through the opening 314. In the exemplary embodimentthe sensor 316 is a through beam sensor such as a photosensor that isblocked upon a leading edge of the receipt passing between an emitterand a receiver of the sensor. Of course this approach is exemplary.

The leading edge of the sheet 312 that has been detected by the sensor316 passes into the opening 186 of the container 98. As shown in FIG. 49the leading edge of the sheet 312 engages the guide 270 and a portion ofthe sheet moves into a slot 318 which extends adjacent the periphery ofgripper member 274. In the exemplary embodiment slot 318 is formed by acurved finger portion 320 which is bounded by a radially inward facingsurface 322.

In the exemplary embodiment the at least one processor, based on atleast one signal produced responsive to sensor 316, is operative tocause the stacker wheel assembly and gripper member 274 to beginrotating in a counterclockwise direction shown when the sheet 312 isengaged in the slot 318. The at least one processor is also operative tocause the flip shaft assembly 252 to rotate as the sheet enters thecontainer and the flip shaft assembly continues rotating in a clockwisedirection as shown as the gripper member rotates in a counterclockwisedirection.

As later described in greater detail, rotation of the gripper member isoperative to cause the cam followers 294 which extend on each side ofthe gripper member to be moved responsive to engagement of the adjacentcams. This causes a gripper portion 322 which is later described indetail to be moved radially outward and to engage the sheet 312 in theslot 318 in sandwiched relation between the radially inward extendingsurface 322 and the outer face of the gripper portion 322.

In the exemplary embodiment as the gripper member 274 rotates to theposition shown in FIG. 50 the belts 264 and deformable rollers 282engage the sheet 312 and pull it inward into the container. In theexemplary embodiment, the flip shaft assembly 252 continues rotating tomove the sheet into the container, while the gripper member 274 stopsrotating counterclockwise in the position shown in FIG. 50. This is doneresponsive to operation of the terminal controller. As can beappreciated the flip shaft assembly of the exemplary embodiment canoperate to move a relatively long sheet a greater lineal distance thanis caused by movement of the sheet by rotation in engagement with thegripper member. In the exemplary embodiment the terminal processorcauses the flip shaft assembly to continue operating to urge the sheetto move into the container a programmed time after the trailing edge ofthe sheet clears the sensor. This assures that the sheet is movedentirely into the container and its trailing edge is urged by the beltsto flip over into the stack. Of course this approach is exemplary.

In the exemplary embodiment, the terminal controller operates to causerotation of the gripper member to stop temporarily while a sheet 312 issensed as still moving into the container. In this position the opposedfinger portion that is not currently holding sheet 312 is disposed awayfrom the trailing edge of the sheet as it enters the opening in thecontainer. Further in the exemplary embodiment the finger is shroudedfrom engaging the trailing edge of the sheet by the adjacent membersthat include the cam surfaces. As a result if the trailing edge of thesheet has a “dog ear” portion as shown in FIG. 50, such portion will notget caught on the finger portion. This reduces the risk of jams. Oncethe trailing edge is sensed as having passed the sensor and subsequentsufficient movement of the flip shaft assembly has occurred to move thetrailing edge inward beyond the finger portion, the terminal controllercauses the stacker wheel assembly to rotate so that the finger portionand its associated slot is in position to engage the leading edge of thenext incoming sheet. This further rotation further causes the gripperportion to release sheet 312. As shown in FIG. 51 the trailing edge ofthe sheet 312 can be engaged by the cleats on belts 264 and flipped asshown to be included in a sheet stack 324 within the container. Furtherthe cam followers are moved by the corresponding cams so as to cause theleading edge of the sheet that has been engaged in slot 318 to bereleased by movement of the gripper portion as the gripping member 274rotates to the position in which the slot on the member opposite to theslot 318 is positioned to engage another incoming sheet. As can beappreciated the sensing of magnetic elements 310 enables the terminalcontroller to rotate the stacker wheel assembly 266 in coordinatedrelation so as to engage, move and release a sheet into the stack uponeach rotation.

Further in the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 51 the grippermember 274 releases each sheet so that the leading edge thereof thatentered the container is in generally aligned relation with the stack274. As a result sheets of various lengths may be stacked within thecontainer with their leading edges generally aligned.

Further in the exemplary embodiment each of the stationary members 292,290, 288 and 286 include generally aligned sheet engaging surfaces 326(see FIG. 46). These generally aligned sheet engaging surfaces 326operate to engage the leading edge of the sheet and separate the sheetfrom the rotating members. This further helps to facilitate releasingthe sheets in aligned relation with the stack. Of course this approachis exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

It should also be pointed out that in the exemplary embodiment each ofthe sensing member and the indicating member also include peripheralslots that are generally aligned with the slots on the gripper members.As a result sheets that are engaged with the gripper members are movedwhile extending in the corresponding slots of the other rotatingmembers. This further helps facilitate engaging, moving and releasingthe sheets into the stack in coordinated relation.

FIGS. 52 through 55 further show aspects of the exemplary embodimentwhich facilitates the movement of sheets into the container. FIG. 52shows an opposite hand view of a gripper member 274 and a deformableroller 282. FIG. 52 shows the gripper member in the initial position inwhich the gripper member has received a sheet 328 in a slot thereof andthe gripper portion 322 is moving responsive to rotation of the grippermember in engagement with the cams to engage the sheet. In this positionthe outer circumference of the finger portion is not engaged with thedeformable roller 382. However, as can be seen, the outer circumferenceof the gripper member 274 includes radially outward extendingcircumferential bump portions 330 that extend further radially outwardthan other portions of the outer circumference of the gripper member274. It should be noted that FIG. 53 shows gripper member 274 in asimilar position to that shown in FIG. 52 but without sheet 328 thereinso as to better show the exemplary configuration of the roller.

FIG. 54 shows the rotation of the gripper member further clockwise fromthat shown in FIG. 52. As can be seen, the front portion 330 is moved toadjacent the deformable roller 282. Because of the raisedcircumferential bump portion the foam roller is deformed and providesbiasing engagement between the roller, the sheet and the gripper member.This engages the sheet 328 in sandwiched relation between the deformableroller and the gripper member and urges its movement of the sheet intothe container. In the exemplary embodiment if the sheet were not presentbetween the deformable roller and the gripper member, the deformableroller would be in engagement with a bump portion of the gripper member.This is further represented in FIG. 55 which like FIG. 53 does notinclude the sheet to facilitate understanding of the structures. Ofcourse in the exemplary embodiment further rotation in a clockwisedirection as shown causes the circumferentially extending bump portionto again rotate away from the deformable roller as the gripper membermoves to a position in which another sheet may be accepted into a slotthereof. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Other exemplary embodiments may use mechanisms of other types to stacksheets in aligned relation. Further such other embodiments may operateto dispense sheets that have been previously stored. This may be donefor example in the manner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,393 and/or6,331,000 the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. For example in some embodiments a singlesheet handling apparatus may be operative to perform both the functionsof receiving sheets from users as well as dispensing sheets. Further aspreviously discussed while some embodiments may operate to handle sheetssuch as currency bills, other embodiments may also operate to receiveand/or dispense other financial instruments and/or sheets including forexample checks, gaming materials, money orders, food stamps, gift cards,payment cards or other sheet items. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment the containers 98 and 100 are made so thatthe sheet stacking assembly as well as the position of the stack may beprecisely controlled without the need for wired connections orelectrical contacts between the removable containers and the remainderof the automated banking machine. This facilitates the installation andremoval of the cassettes without the need for concern about breakage ofelectrical connectors or deterioration of electrical contacts. This isaccomplished in the exemplary embodiment through the sensing of magneticfields using sensors that are positioned adjacent to the container whenthe container is in an installed position. The container operates tovary the magnetic properties that can be sensed with varying conditionswithin the container so as to enable contactless sensing. This alsoenables the terminal controller of the automated banking machine toeffectively control the components within the container so that sheetsmay be reliably received and stacked within the containers. Of course itshould be understood that using magnetic principles is but one exampleof indicating and sensing approaches that may be used for such purposes.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show an alternative stacker wheel assembly 332. Stackerwheel assembly 332 is similar to stacker wheel assembly 266 except thatit is configured for use in an opposite hand container from assembly266. For example stacker wheel assembly 332 may be installed incontainer 100 for purposes of receiving and stacking sheets. Stackerwheel assembly 332 includes a shaft 334. The shaft 334 is assembled inoperatively fixed connection with gripper members 336 and 338. Grippermembers 336 and 338 are generally similar to gripper member 274.

The stacker wheel assembly 332 further includes an indicating member340. Indicating member 340 is generally similar to indicating member278. Indicating member 340 further includes indicating element portions342 thereon which are sensed in the exemplary embodiment by a Halleffect sensor to detect rotational position of the assembly. As a resultas previously described, this enables the stacker wheel assembly to bepositioned responsive to operation of the terminal controller to receivea sheet and to move the sheet through operation of the stacker wheelassembly and flip shaft assembly to a position aligned in the stack.

The stacker wheel assembly 332 further includes a sensing member 344.The sensing member 344 is generally similar to sensing member 276previously discussed.

Stacker wheel assembly 332 further includes stationary members 346, 348,350 and 352. The exemplary stationary members which are shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 38 through 40 each include cams thereon. This includesfor example cam 354 on member 346, cams 356 and 358 on member 348, andcams 360 and 362 on member 350. Further as can be appreciated in theexemplary embodiment member 352 is configured as a mirror image ofmember 346. As with the stationary members previously described, eachstationary member has a bore therethrough in which shaft 334 can freelyrotate. This is represented for example by bore 364 and member 346. Inaddition each of the stationary members include aligned sheet stopsurfaces which are operative to engage sheets in aligned relation withthe stack. The sheet stop surfaces facilitate separation of sheets fromthe rotating members. The sheet stop surfaces are represented forexample by surface 366 on member 346.

As previously discussed the gripper members and sensing member each havecam followers extending from opposed lateral axial sides thereof. Thecam followers are operative to engage the adjacent cam surfaces andcause movement of components of the rotating members in coordinatedrelation with the rotation thereof. Of course this approach isexemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 35 shows an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of grippermember 336. Similar to gripper member 274, gripper member 336 is arotating member that rotates in operatively fixed connection with shaft334 of its associated stacker wheel assembly. Gripper member 336includes a pair of finger portions 368, 370. Each of finger portions 368and 370 each have respective radially inward facing surfaces 372 and 378that each define slots 380 and 382.

A gripper portion 384 is movably mounted on gripper member 336. Gripperportion 384 includes sheet engaging portions 386 and 388 at opposed endsthereof. In exemplary embodiments the sheet engaging portions mayinclude a deformable material such as an elastomer portion for purposesof engaging sheets in sandwiched relation between the sheet engagingportion and the adjacent radially inward opposing surface. Of coursethis approach is exemplary, and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

Gripper portion 384 includes cam followers 390 which in the exemplaryembodiment extend laterally axially from both sides thereof. Camfollowers 390 extend in and are constrained to move in elongated slots392. Elongated slots extend in a cover 394 which is releasibly attachedto the gripper member 336 through fasteners 396. The elongated slotsalso extend in a wall 398 of the gripper member that is opposite of thecover 394.

As can be appreciated in the exemplary embodiment engagement of the camfollowers 390 with the adjacent cams on each side of the gripper membercause the gripper portion 384 to move so as to engage and release sheetsin the slots in the desired rotational positions. This is done in themanner previously discussed in connection with gripper member 274.Further in exemplary embodiments if the gripper portion should becomeworn or saturated with dirt or other contaminants, it may be removed andthe interior area of the gripper member cleaned. Likewise the gripperportion 384 may be cleaned or replaced. This is done by removing thefasteners holding the cover 394 and removing the gripper portion fromengagement with the gripper member and then reassembling the gripperportion cover. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary indicating member 340 is similar to indicating member 378.As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 the indicating member 340 is a rotatingmember that rotates in operatively fixed engagement with the shaft 324.The indicating member includes a pair of finger portions 400 and 402.The finger portions bound slots 404 and 406 which are configured foraccepting sheets therein. As can be appreciated slots 404 and 406 arearranged such that they are angularly aligned with the slots formed onthe gripper members 336 and 338 as well as slots on the sensing member344 so as to facilitate sheets extending therein as they are held, movedand released into the stack. Of course it should be understood thatthese configurations are exemplary.

FIGS. 30 through 34 show features of the exemplary embodiment of thesensing member 334. It should be understood that sensing member 334 issimilar to sensing member 276 that operates in an opposite hand manner.

As shown in FIG. 30 sensing member 334 is a rotating member that rotatesin operatively fixed engagement with shaft 334. As shown the sensingmember rotates in a clockwise direction with the shaft. Sensing member334 includes a first curved finger portion 408 and a second curvedfinger portion 410. Finger portion 408 is rotatably mounted to a bodymember 412 (see FIG. 34) about a pivot 414. Finger portion 410 ismounted to the body portion and rotates about a pivot 416. Fingerportion 408 is biased by a spring 418. Spring 418 biases finger portion408 about the pivot 414 such that the finger portion is biased towardthe radially outward position. Similarly finger portion 410 is biased bya spring 420 toward the radially outward position.

Finger portion 408 is in operative connection with a cam follower 422.Cam follower 422 is operative to engage adjacent cams in the stackerwheel assembly 332. Finger portion 410 is also in operative connectionwith a similar cam follower 424.

Finger portion 408 includes a magnet 426 mounted in supportingconnection therewith. Magnet 426 has its poles oriented as shown. Magnet426 comprises a first target element portion which can be sensed throughoperation of a Hall effect sensor schematically indicated 428. In theexemplary embodiment the Hall effect sensor is mounted outside of thecontainer 100 and enables sensing the magnetic properties of the magnetin a contactless manner. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 30 and 31 themagnet is movably positioned responsive to radially inward displacementof an outward projecting portion 430 of the finger portion 408. Fingerportion 410 includes a projecting portion 431 and a magnet 432. Magnet432 is similar to magnet 426 and is movable with finger portion 410.

As represented in FIG. 30 the outer projecting portion 430 of fingerportion 408 engages the upper sheet 434 in a stack 436 of sheets thatare accumulated in container 100. Engagement of the first sheet and theengaging portion is operative to move and position magnet 426. Thus inthe exemplary embodiment the position of the first sheet in the stack isdetectable through sensing of the magnetic field that can be sensedresponsive to the position of the magnet on each finger portion usingthe Hall effect sensor.

As best seen in FIGS. 33 and 34 the finger portions 408 and 410 eachdefine slots 438, 440. Slots 438 and 440 are configured to be angularlyaligned with the slots and the other rotating members in the stackingassembly 332. Further the cam followers 424 and 422 are constrained tomove in slots 442. Slots 442 extend in body 412 as well as in a cover446 that is releasibly attachable through fasteners 448. In operation ofthe exemplary sensing member 344 the member rotates clockwise as shown.As the projecting portions 430, 431 rotate into engagement with the topsheet bounding the stack, the magnets 426, 432 are positioned so as toenable the Hall effect sensor to sense the position of the magnet andthus the associated projecting portion. Further the action of thesprings in the exemplary embodiment biasing the finger members outward,generally maintain a desired pressure on the top of the stack so as tofacilitate holding the sheets in the stack. In the exemplary embodimentthe projecting portion generally applies approximately one quarter toone half pound of force to the top sheet in the stack for this purpose.Of course this approach is exemplary, and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

During operation of the sensing member engagement of the cam followerswith the adjacent cams enable the projecting portion adjacent to thestack to extend the full outward extent of its radial travel asnecessary for purposes of moving to engage the top sheet in the stack.This is represented in FIG. 30 in which a finger portion 450 of anadjacent gripper member is also shown for purposes of demonstrating theextent of travel of the finger portions of the sensing member. However,engagement of the cams operate to limit the outward travel of the fingerportions when they are angularly disposed away from the stack. This isrepresented by the position of finger portion 410 in FIGS. 30 and 31.Holding the finger portion that is rotated away from the stack radiallyinwardly through engagement with the cams facilitates engagement withthe sheets and avoids problems that might occur with potentiallycatching outwardly extending finger portions on the associated flipshaft assembly. Of course this approach is exemplary, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 32 shows an exemplary graph of signals that are generated throughan adjacent Hall effect sensor through the positioning of the magnets onthe movable finger portions of the exemplary sensor member. In FIG. 32line A corresponds to the signal that is received from the Hall effectsensor when the magnet 426 is positioned as shown in FIG. 30. Line Brepresents signals that correspond to the position of the magnets in theposition shown in FIG. 31 which corresponds to the generally desirableposition of the engaging portion relative to the stack.

In operation of one exemplary embodiment the Hall effect sensor 428 isin operative communication through appropriate interfaces with the atleast one terminal controller of the automated banking machine. Theterminal controller is operative as control circuitry to cause movementof the drive within the associated container so as to position the plate188 previously described, so as to maintain the projecting portions ofthe sensing member in the desired position. This is accomplished in theexemplary embodiment by the automated banking machine impartingrotational movement through a gear 218 on the machine to gear 216 whichis part of the drive within the container. Rotation of gear 216 isoperative to rotate screw 198 of the drive so as to position plate 188within the container.

In one exemplary embodiment as sheets are added to the stack within thecontainer the Hall effect sensor 428 is operative to sense the magneticsignals generated responsive to the position of the target elementportion which includes the magnets 426 and 432. The at least oneprocessor is operative to cause the plate supporting the stack to bemoved so as to maintain the desired Hall effect signal which isindicative of the projecting portion on the sensing member being in thedesired position upon each rotation. Thus in the exemplary embodimentthe appropriate position and pressure is maintained for the stack by thesensing member as sheets are added to the stack. Further as can beappreciated when the container is first installed in an empty conditionin the machine, the at least one processor may operate to cause theplate to move so that the plate is positioned and engages the passingprojecting portions so that the plate is ready to support incomingsheets.

In some other alternative embodiments at least one processor in theautomated banking machine may be operative to selectively control themovement of the plate 188 based on the characteristics of those sheetsthat are being received into the stack. In an exemplary embodiment atleast one data store in operative connection with at least one processormay have stored therein at least one value. This at least one value isused by the processor as sheets are being added to the stack to move thesupport plate a corresponding distance. Thus for example in someembodiments the addition of each sheet being engaged with the stackerwheel assembly and added to the stack, causes the support plate to bemoved away from the stacker wheel assembly a distance that correspondsto the stored value. In such embodiments the at least one stored valuecorresponds to a thickness of each added sheet. Thus in such embodimentsthe movement of the support plate is designed to move the stack so thatas sheets are being added, the desired amount of compressive force ismaintained between the movable projecting portions of the sensing memberand the top of the stack. This can help to assure that the integrity ofthe stack is maintained by avoiding force outside of a desired rangewhich can result in loss of stack integrity. In exemplary embodiments itis desired to maintain approximately one quarter to one half pound offorce between the top sheet applied by the rotating assembly thatcomprises the stacker wheel assembly. This force is applied by themovable projecting portion of the sensing member engaging the top sheetof the stack. Of course this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used. Further it should beunderstood that while in this exemplary embodiment the support plate ismoved in response to the stored value to accommodate the thickness ofeach sheet as it is being added to the stack, in other embodimentsmovement of the support plate may be made only after multiple sheetshave been added to the stack.

In operation of the automated banking machine various types of sheetsmay be accepted within the stack. The sheets being added may vary intheir properties. Sheets may include for example new paper or plasticsheets which are relatively rigid and incompressible. Other sheets mayinclude worn sheets which have been crinkled and/or which are relativelymore compressible. In some embodiments the stack may be receivingdifferent types of sheets which have different properties in terms ofcompressibility, which compressibility may be alternatively thought ofas sheet fluffiness.

In some exemplary embodiments it is desirable to operate the processorto change the at least one stored value which causes movement of thesupport plate away from the rotating assembly, based on the degree ofcompressibility of the sheets that are being sensed as added to thestack in the environment in which the device is operated. This isaccomplished in some embodiments by utilizing the existing stored valueto move the support plate downward with each sheet that is added to thestack. Then after the current activity or a given transaction in whichsheets have been added to the stack, the at least one processor isoperative in accordance with its programming to cause the drive to movethe plate downward. The plate is moved downward until the projectingportion which serves as a movable sensing member has moved radiallyoutward in engagement with the top sheet of the stack to an extent thata level of movement of the projecting portion is sensed by the sensorthat detects the magnetic element in connection with the movableprojecting portion.

After the at least one processor has sensed that the movable projectingportion is disposed radially outward to a reference level, the at leastone processor is then operative to cause the drive to move the platetoward the stacker wheel assembly. The processor operates to cause thedrive to move the plate toward the stacker wheel assembly until theprojecting portion in engagement with the top sheet is moved radiallyinward to an extent in which the magnetic target element portionindicates that the compressive force applied between the projectingportion and the top sheet is at a desired level. This is sensed in theexemplary embodiment by the sensor sensing the position of the magneticelement. In response to sensing the projecting portion having moved to aposition in which a desired compressive force is acting between thesensing member of the stacker wheel assembly and the stack, theprocessor is operative to cause the drive to stop moving the platetoward the rotating assembly.

In the exemplary operation the at least one processor operates tocalculate data corresponding to the distances that the plate movesdownward to cause the reference displacement of the projecting portionon the sensing member and then the data associated with moving the platetoward the stacker wheel assembly. As a function of the datacorresponding to the distances the plate moves away and then toward thestacker wheel assembly to achieve the desired force, the at least oneprocessor operates to calculate data corresponding to a determination ofhow closely the current at least one stored value is causing the plateto move the appropriate amount with each sheet to maintain the desiredcompressive force on the top of the stack. The at least one processorthen operates in the exemplary embodiment to change the at least onestored value responsive to the determination to correspond to the dataassociated with moving the support plate.

For example in some exemplary embodiments if the distance that the platemoves downward is greater than the distance that the support plate thenmoves upward, this may be an indication that the plate is not currentlymoving downward far enough with each sheet that is being added. Thiswill cause the processor to operate in accordance with its programmingto change the at least one stored value stored in the data store so asto cause the support plate to move away from the rotating assemblysomewhat more as each sheet is sensed as being added to the stack.

Likewise in an exemplary embodiment if the distance that the plate ismoved downward is less than the amount the support plate is moved upwardso as to achieve the desired compressive force, this may be anindication that the support plate is moving too far downward with eachadded sheet. The at least one processor may operate in accordance withits programming to adjust the at least one stored value so that thesupport plate moves downward somewhat less with each sheet being addedto the stack.

Thus in this exemplary mode of operation the at least one processor isoperative to change the at least one stored value to more closelycorrespond to the thickness and properties of sheets that are currentlybeing received in the machine. In other embodiments the at least oneprocessor may move the stack in only one direction and may base thechange in stored value on only the one distance. This might be done incircumstances where the plate moves to a location which corresponds to areference position. Of course these approaches are exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

Further it should be understood that in some modes of operation sheetsof various sizes may be received in the stack. This may be for examplesituations where currency bills of various sizes are used within a givencountry or territory. In situations where smaller bills have beenstacked on top of larger bills (or vice versa) it is possible that thestacked sheets may fall over. This may periodically occur due to theunstable nature of a single stack which includes areas with smaller andlarger sheets.

In some exemplary embodiments when this occurs the at least oneprocessor may operate responsive to the at least one sensor no longersensing that the projecting portions on the sensing member on therotating assembly are engaged with the stack. In such circumstances theat least one processor may operate in accordance with its programming tocause the drive to move the plate toward the stacker wheel assemblyuntil contact of a suitable nature is again established with sheetsincluded within the container. In an exemplary embodiment the at leastone processor will then operate to cause another stack of sheets to bebuilt within the container. The further stack will generally begin tobuild on at least a portion of the earlier stack which is nottransversely disposed in the container due to having fallen over. The atleast one processor may then operate in the manner described to continueto build the sheet stack within the container. Further in some exemplaryembodiments the at least one processor may operate in accordance withits programming to determine a situation where the plate has beenrequired to operate to move toward the sheet stacker assembly a muchgreater distance than would be appropriate in situations where theintegrity of the sheet stack had been maintained. The at least oneprocessor may operate in accordance with its programming to causecertain steps to be taken in such circumstances. These steps may includefor example, operating the machine to cause a notification to be givento a remote entity to indicate that stack integrity within a particularcontainer is no longer being maintained. As a result a servicer may benotified to travel to the machine and replace the container. This mightbe done in circumstances where further processing of sheets isfacilitated if stack integrity is maintained. Alternatively if it isdesirable to include as many sheets as possible within a given sheetholding container before it is changed, the at least one processor mayoperate in accordance with its programming to store data which indicatesthat additional sheets may be stored in the cassette because of theparticular circumstances and to continue to operate to add sheets to acontainer beyond a number that might otherwise be considered a maximumfor the container. In still other embodiments the automated bankingmachine may include mechanisms or members which operate to move orvibrate the containers so that additional sheets may be stored therein.

Of course these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

In addition in the exemplary embodiment the bracket 208 which is inoperative connection with the plate 188 includes a location indicatingelement 452 thereon. This is represented in FIG. 20. The locationindicating element in the exemplary embodiment comprises a magnet whichis detectable through a Hall effect sensor 454. The exemplary Halleffect sensor is in operative supported connection with the back wall120 of the tray 112.

In the exemplary embodiment the Hall effect sensor 454 is positioned soas to indicate that the stack size has grown to the point where it isapproaching a maximum number of sheets the container will hold. This isindicative that the container will soon no longer be able to acceptadditional sheets therein. The terminal controller of the exemplaryembodiment is operative to take actions in accordance with itsprogrammed instructions responsive to sensing this condition. This mayinclude for example operating in a manner described in the incorporateddisclosures to give notice to an appropriate entity of the need toreplace or empty the sheet holding containers within the machine.Further in other embodiments additional sensing devices may bepositioned so that the position of the plate 188 may be detected atnumerous locations within the container. This enables an exemplaryterminal controller to detect the numbers of sheets in each of thecontainers and use this information to calculate time periods at whichreplacement of the containers would be required or other actions thatneed to be taken. Of course this approach is exemplary, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Although the previously described exemplary embodiment uses magneticsensing principles to contactlessly sense properties and positions ofcomponents within the removable containers, other embodiments may useother principles. These include other principles for sensing suchcomponents and conditions in a contactless manner. An alternativeexemplary embodiment to accomplish such sensing is shown schematicallyin FIGS. 40 through 44. In this exemplary embodiment radiation sensingprinciples may be utilized for purposes of sensing such components andconditions. These may include for example sensing of the rotationalposition of a stacker wheel assembly. It may also include for examplesensing positions of a support plate. Such principles may also beapplied to sensing the finger portions on a sensing member so as tomaintain a proper stack conditions.

In an exemplary embodiment a radiation sensor 456 may be utilized. Sucha sensor includes a radiation emitter 458 and a receiver 460 (see FIG.44). The exemplary sensor uses infrared radiation but in otherembodiments other approaches may be used. In exemplary embodiments aradiation blinder structure or similar structure for preventing leakageof radiation directly from the emitter to the receiver may be used. Theexemplary blinder structure 462 is shown in detail in FIG. 44. Of courseit should be understood that this blinder structure is exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary embodiment includes a radiation conducting element 464.The radiation conducting element 464 includes a prism which is operativeto direct radiation from the emitter and the receiver in the directionof the arrows as shown. In an exemplary embodiment a movable memberschematically indicated 466 within the container may have one or moretarget element portions 468 and 470. The target element portions in anexemplary embodiment may comprise a reflective material which hasreflective elements therein that are uniformly aligned so as to providereflection therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment the target elementportions are comprised of glass bead material which includes reflectiveelements that are operative to reflect incident radiation at an angle ofreflection which differs from the angle of incidence. In this way thetarget element portions may provide reflective properties that are morereadily detectable through a radiation sensor. In some exemplaryembodiments the target element portions may comprise a reflective tapeof the type used in connection with the apparatus described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/983,410 the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Of course thisapproach is exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

In an exemplary method of an operation target element portions may bepositioned on the periphery of one or more rotating members in astacking element assembly. Using the exemplary optical sensor andradiation conducting element, the sensor 456 is operative to sense eachtime a target element portion passes in proximity to the end of theradiation conducting element. In this manner the sensor which is inoperative connection with the terminal controller enables the terminalcontroller to operate to control rotation of the stacker wheel assembly.

Alternatively or in addition radiation target element portions may beincluded in operative connection with a bracket or other member that isin operative connection with a support plate similar to support plate188. Thus for example sensors and radiation conducting elements may beused to sense the position of the support plate such that the terminalcontroller may determine when a container has reached a particulardegree of fullness (or emptiness). This may be done for purposes ofdetermining that a cassette that is receiving the sheets does not becomefilled and/or a cassette for dispensing sheets therefrom does not becomeempty. Of course this approach is exemplary.

In other exemplary embodiments radiation reflective members may be usedfor purposes of determining and controlling stack position within acontainer. For example movable finger portions like those previouslydescribed may include thereon or in operative connection therewithradiation reflective portions rather than magnetic elements of the typedescribed in the previous embodiment. Such radiation reflective portionsmay be moved responsive to engagement of the finger portions with thestack. Such movement can be used to provide radiation signals which aresensed through operation of the sensor and which can be used by theterminal processor to maintain the top sheet in the stack and thestacker assembly in the desired relative positions.

Of course it should be understood that the use of magnetic and radiationsensing elements of these described embodiments is exemplary ofapproaches that may be used for purposes of sensing and controllingitems within a container. While in the exemplary embodiment contactlessapproaches have been described, in other embodiments other approachesincluding approaches which use electrical and/or physical contactbetween the container and the remainder of the automated banking machinemay be used. It should be understood that these approaches are merelyexemplary of applications of the various principles described.

In operation of an exemplary embodiment of the automated bankingmachine, the machine may operate as an automated teller machine (ATM).In the exemplary embodiment a user operating the machine inputs a databearing record such as a card to the slot that is operatively connectedwith card reader 22 of the machine. The card reader operates to readdata from the data bearing record that corresponds to a user and/or theuser's financial account. In the exemplary embodiment the user alsoinputs a personal identification number (PIN) through the keypad 24. Inthe exemplary embodiment the terminal controller operates to provideoutputs through the display 28 and/or through the speakers 32 orheadphone jack 34 so as to prompt the user to provide these inputs. Ofcourse it should be understood that in other embodiments users may beprompted to input other types of data bearing records or useridentifying inputs for purposes of identifying the user or theiraccount.

After receiving the inputs from the user the at least one terminalcontroller operates the automated banking machine in accordance with itsprogramming to determine if the data read from the data bearing recordand/or other inputs correspond to an authorized user and/or a financialaccount which is authorized to conduct transactions through operation ofthe machine. This is accomplished in exemplary embodiments by theterminal controller causing communication between the automated bankingmachine and one or more remote computers to determine that the inputdata corresponds to data for an individual who is authorized to conducta transaction. Alternate embodiments may use features like thosedescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/200,016 filed Sep. 15,2011 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In the exemplary embodiment the user may also provide inputs through oneor more input devices indicating that they wish to withdraw cash fromthe machine. In such circumstances the terminal controller operates inaccordance with its associated programmed instructions to cause themachine to communicate with at least one remote computer to determine ifthe user is authorized to conduct the requested transaction. In responseto receiving an indication that the data input by the user correspondsto an individual authorized to conduct such a cash withdrawaltransaction, the exemplary terminal controller operates to cause thecash dispenser 38 to dispense the requested cash to the user. Theterminal controller operates to cause communications between theautomated banking machine and one or more remote computers so as toassess the value associated with the dispensed cash to an account of auser. This may include for example causing a debit to be assessed to anaccount of the user or by a bank or other financial institution.

Likewise in some exemplary embodiments if the user wishes to depositcash in the machine the terminal controller causes operation of thecurrency accepting device 42. The currency accepting device operates toopen a gate to provide access through the fascia opening 46 so that theuser can insert a stack comprising one or more currency bills. Theterminal controller then operates the stack handling mechanism 78 andthe picker mechanism 80 so as to unstack the bills one by one anddeliver them into the document alignment mechanism 82. Each document isaligned in a desired orientation by engagement with the documentalignment mechanism and then moved through the sensing module 84. Thesensing module 84 operates to sense various characteristics of eachbill, which sensed characteristics are usable to determine properties ofthe bill such as denomination as well as the genuineness thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment the bills that have been evaluated by thesensing module 84 are directed for storage onto the storage device 88.The terminal controller then operates to advise the user through outputsthrough the display or other output devices, concerning the machine'sdetermination concerning the number and type of bills that the user hasinput. In exemplary embodiments the user may be given the option tocause the bills to be deposited for storage in the machine or to haveone or more (or all) of the bills returned to the user. Alternatively insome embodiments the machine may operate to advise the user that certainbills are suspect and may be confiscated from the user. Alternatively orin addition other embodiments may operate in accordance with theirprogramming to advise the user that certain sheets do not correspond tobills. Of course these approaches are exemplary and depend on theprogramming of the particular automated banking machine.

In the exemplary embodiment if the user indicates that they wish to havethe bills they have input deposited, the bills are delivered one at atime from the storage device and directed by the gates 86 through theintermodule transport 94 into the sheet directing assembly 96. Theterminal controller then causes the sheet directing assembly to operatebased on the characteristics of each respective sheet as determined bythe sensing module 84. For example the terminal controller may causesheets having particular denominations or characteristics to be storedin container 98, while sheets having other characteristics are stored instorage location 102, and still other types of sheets are stored incontainer 100. For example in some embodiments the bills may be sortedby denomination. In still other embodiments the bills may be sorted bythe country of origin of the bills, or other properties. Of course thisis merely exemplary.

In the exemplary embodiment sheets that are not identifiable as currencybills may be selectively routed to the stack handling mechanism 78 whileother bills are directed to the intermodule transport. Further inexemplary embodiments if bills are determined to be counterfeit or ofsuspected counterfeit they may be directed for storage into the documentsegregation compartment 92. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

In such a deposit transaction the terminal controller may operate tocause the banking machine to communicate with one or more remotecomputers so as to cause the machine user and/or their financial accountto be credited for a value associated with the valid bills deposited.The terminal controller may operate in some embodiments to indicate thedenomination and types of bills that have been deposited. Further insome embodiments the terminal controller may operate to communicateinformation about the suspect or counterfeit nature of bills to remotecomputers so that authorities can be notified. Of course other steps mayalso be taken in accordance with the programming of the particularterminal controller and associated remote computers.

In operation of an exemplary transaction in which a user is to becredited for the value of bills deposited, the terminal controlleroperates in accordance with its programming to cause the receipt printer36 of the automated banking machine to provide the user with a receipt.The receipt may include various information about the bills deposited bythe user as well as the location, time and date of the transaction. Thismay be done to provide the user with a record of the transaction thathas been conducted. Alternatively or in addition the terminal controllerof the exemplary embodiment may cause communication of the machine withother computers so as to provide the user with receipt information viaan e-mail message to an e-mail account and/or through a text message toa cell phone or other computer. Of course this approach is exemplary,and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In operation of the exemplary automated banking machine sheets areaccumulated in stacks in the containers 98 and 100. Sheets may also beaccumulated in the middle storage compartment 102. After a plurality oftransactions have been conducted one or more of the containers may besensed as approaching the maximum level of sheets that can be heldtherein. This may be done through a contactless sensor sensing theposition of the stack support plate in the manner previously described,or in another suitable manner. In response to sensing a containerreaching a near full condition, the terminal controller may operate inaccordance with its programming to notify an appropriate entity of aneed to change or remove bills from the container or containers. Thismay be done in the manner of the incorporated disclosures.

The servicer who is responsible for changing the cassettes or removingbills therefrom may do so by accessing the secure chest of the automatedbanking machine by opening the safe lock 52 and moving the safe door 50to an open position. In this position the tray 112 which supports thecontainers may be moved outward in supporting connection with theslides. Each container may be removed by actuating the respectiverelease lever 242 so as to disengage the latch member from therespective container. The servicer is then enabled to move the top ofeach container outward from the back wall of the tray and lift thecontainer upward so as to disengage the tray.

With the container 100 disengaged from the tray the door 116 to themiddle compartment may be unlatched and opened so as to remove billswhich have been accumulated therein. In some exemplary embodiments themiddle compartment may be used only under limited circumstances. Thismay be for example for storing bills when one of the containers hasreached the filled condition and can no longer accept bills.Alternatively special types of bills that meet certain criteria or otherparameters may be stored in the middle storage area. Notes stored in themiddle storage area may be removed by the servicer, and thereafter thedoor 116 placed in a closed and latched position.

Generally persons responsible for removing containers which have notesstored therein will replace the removed containers with emptycontainers. The empty containers may be installed in engagement with thetray and have the upper portions thereof moved inward so as to beengaged in positive relation with the respective latching member. Oncethe containers have been replaced the tray 112 may be retracted towithin the safe. The safe door may then be closed and secured and themachine returned to service.

The exemplary removed containers may be transported to a remote locationin a locked condition. This may be done for purposes of moving thecontainers securely to a place where the containers are opened andcurrency bills therein may be removed and counted. Alternatively fieldpersonnel may be provided with keys or other items or data that can beused for unlocking the containers so as to access the bills therein.

In the exemplary embodiment authorized persons open the doors 178 on thecontainers by opening the associated locks 180. This provides access tothe sheet holding compartment within the container. Removal of thesheets therefrom is preferably accomplished by engaging the tab 202 soas to move the lever which releases the plate 188 from operativeengagement with the drive. This enables the plate to be moved in thecassette so that the stack of sheets can be more readily manuallygrasped. The bills are then removed and counted or otherwise processedfor purposes of validating the transactions conducted through themachine.

In the exemplary embodiment once the bills have been removed from thecontainer, the container door may be closed and locked and thecontainers routed for replacement in an automated banking machine. Inthe exemplary embodiment it is not required to position the plate 188adjacent to the stacker wheel assembly after the sheets have beenremoved. This is because the terminal controller in the machine operatesin accordance with its programming to automatically position the platefor purposes of receiving sheets once the container has been installedin the machine. Of course these approaches are exemplary, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 56 shows another exemplary embodiment in which the chest 16contains a free fall cassette 500, which is a large transportablecontainer that stores deposited currency bills 502 or other sheets inits interior storage area. The free fall cassette 500 and relatedelements of the machine will be described with reference to the freefall cassette 500 stored in the rear load machine in which the chestdoor is located at the rear of the chest 16. The rear of the machinerefers to the side of the machine generally opposite the side thatincludes the consumer interface. In this respect, the terms “rear,”“rearwardly,” “front,” and “forwardly” will reference the location ofelements of the free fall cassette 500 with respect to the rear loadedmachine. The terms “right” and “left” will reference the location ofelements of the cassette 500 and the machine with respect to a viewlooking at the front of the rear load machine. Of course it should benoted that the automated banking machine may alternatively be a “frontload machine” in which the chest door may be situated at the front ofthe chest, and generally on the same side of the machine as the machineuser interface operated by consumers.

Referring to FIGS. 56 and 58, the example free fall cassette 500includes a storage area that is a deep rectangular shaped bucket. Inparticular, the cassette 500 includes a lid or top portion 504, a bottomwall 506, and upstanding front, rear, right, and left side walls 508,510, 512, 514 that extend between the top portion 504 and bottom wall506 (FIG. 69). The front and rear walls 508, 510 include upwardlyextending recesses that define front and rear hand grips 516, 518. Asseen in FIG. 58, the top portion 504 includes an L-shaped step portion520 at its front end. The step portion includes a front wall 522 and abottom wall 524. A pinion gear opening 526, openings 528 which comprisedocking pin accepting slots 530 (FIG. 86) and a latch opening 532between the openings 528 for the docking pin slots 530, are formed inthe front wall 522 and are all transversely spaced from each other. Theexample cassette 500 is generally made of metal, plastic or othersuitable high strength material. The top portion 504 and walls may beconnected to each other by any suitable way such as by rivets orwelding. A carrying handle 534 is pivotably mounted to the top portion504. The exemplary handle 534 is pivotable about a central longitudinalaxis 536 of the cassette 500 between a vertical carrying position asshown in FIG. 58 and a horizontal storage position as shown in FIG. 79.In the storage position, the handle is positioned within a complimentaryrecess 538 formed in the top portion 504 to provide additional clearancefrom the chest ceiling 542. In some embodiments the handle is biased tothe storage position by one or more springs.

The top portion 504 of the example cassette includes an input opening544 that receives currency bills that have been received throughoperation of a bill accepting and validating device. Alternatively thecassette may receive sheets from another type of sheet accepting deviceincluded in the machine such as a check acceptor and reader, ticketacceptor, voucher acceptor or other similar device. A first row of frontramp portions 546 (FIG. 72), which in the example embodiment are spacedfrom each other in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinalaxis 536 of the cassette 500, extend downwardly and rearwardly from thefront edge of the input opening 544. A second row of rear ramp portions548, which are also spaced from each other in the transverse direction,extend downwardly and forwardly from the rear edge of the input opening544. The first and second rows of ramp portions define in transversecross section a generally funnel or v-shape input opening 544 tofacilitate the entry of the bills into the input opening of thecassette.

Referring to FIGS. 59-60, upper pairs of front and rear pinch rollers550, 552 are provided inwardly downstream of the input opening 544 forengaging the bills to move them in engagement therewith. Otherembodiments may use other structures, such as belts or flaps. Each pairof the rollers 550, 552 is spaced from each other in the transversedirection with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cassette 500. Asbest seen in FIG. 60, an upper front axle 554 extends through each ofthe front pinch rollers 550 and is rotatably supported by frame 556 ofthe top portion 504. The front pinch rollers 550 are in operativelyfixed engagement with the upper front axle 554 and rotate with the axle554. An upper rear axle 558 extends through each of the rear pinchrollers 552 and is rotatably supported by the frame 556 of the topportion 504. The rear pinch rollers 552 are in operatively fixedengagement with the upper rear axle 558 and rotate with the axle 558.Lower pairs of front and rear pinch rollers 560, 562 are provideddownstream of the upper pairs of pinch rollers 550, 552 for engaging thebills to transport them in the interior area of cassette 500. Each ofthe lower pairs of the rollers 560, 562 is spaced from each other in thetransverse direction. A lower front axle 564 extends through each of thefront pinch rollers 560 and is rotatably operatively supported by theframe 556. The front pinch rollers 560 are in operatively fixedengagement with the lower front axle 564 and rotate with the axle 564. Alower rear axle 566 extends through each of the rear pinch rollers 562and is rotatably support by the frame 556. The rear pinch rollers 562are in operatively fixed engagement with the lower rear axle 566 androtate with the axle 566. The top portion 504 of the example embodimentsincludes a retract bin 568 that is located rearwardly adjacent the upperpairs of rollers 550, 552 and the lower pairs of rollers 560, 562. Theretract bin 568 is used to isolate selected sheets, notes or bills fromcertain customer transactions. Isolating these notes helps the bankpersonnel in balancing and reconciling certain transactions done bycustomers, or in tracking sheets stored in and/or that were unable to bedispensed from the machine, for example.

Referring to FIG. 61, an exemplary gating system 570 is provided toselectively direct the bills or other sheets to certain areas within thecassette 500. The gating system 570 includes a front shaft 572 that ispositioned between the front axles 554, 564 (FIG. 60) and axiallyextends in the transverse direction with respect to longitudinal axis536. The front shaft 572 extends through a plurality of front idlerollers 574 that freely rotate relative to the front shaft 572. Thefront idle rollers 574 are positioned between the upper front pinchrollers 550 and the lower front pinch rollers 560. The front idlerollers 574 engage the front pinch rollers 550, 560 and rotate with thepinch rollers 550 but allow the front shaft 572 to be fixed during theirrotation. Profiled front gate guides 576 which serve as sheet guides arein operatively fixed relative engagement with the front shaft 572 androtate with the front shaft 572. The front guides 576 extend radiallyoutwardly relative to the rotational axis of the front shaft 572. Eachfront guide 576 includes a front side 578 that has a sheet engagingsurface that is concavely curved and a rear side 580 that is generallystraight. The front and rear sides 578, 580 converge toward each othergoing in the radially outward direction and terminate into an invertedU-shaped distal end 582.

The example gating system 570 includes a rear shaft 584 that ispositioned between the rear axles 558, 566 and axially extends in thetransverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 536. Asdepicted in FIG. 61, the rear shaft 584 extends through a plurality ofrear idle rollers 586 that freely rotate relative to the rear shaft 584.The rear idle rollers 586 are positioned between the upper rear pinchrollers 552 and the lower rear pinch rollers 562. The rear idle rollers586 engage the upper rear pinch rollers 552 and rotate with the pinchrollers 552, 562 but allow the rear shaft 584 to be fixed during theirrotation. Profiled rear gate guides 588 are in operatively fixedrelative engagement with the rear shaft 584 and rotate with the rearshaft 584. The rear guides 588 extend radially outwardly from therotational axis of the rear shaft 584. As best depicted in FIG. 64, eachrear guide 588 includes a rear side 590 that includes a sheet contactingsurface that is concavely curved and a front side 592 that is generallystraight. The front and rear sides 590, 592 converge toward each othergoing in the radially outward direction and terminate into an invertedU-shaped distal end 594. As seen in FIG. 61, the front guides 576 aretransversely offset from the rear guides 588. This allows the frontguides 576 to pivotably move past the rear guides 588, as well as therear guides 588 to pivotably move past the front guides 576 so that inpassing they do not block or strike each other. The front and rear idlerrollers 574, 586 act to fill the space between the upper pinch rollers550, 552 and the lower pinch rollers 560, 562 in order to help guide thebills from the upper pinch rollers to the lower pinch rollers andprevent the bill from moving outside of the passage between them.

An exemplary drive arrangement 596 is provided to selectively drive thepinch rollers and position the sheet guides. As depicted in FIG. 59, theexample drive arrangement includes a single drive shaft 598 that isrotatably movably mounted to axial support plates 600 attached to theright side of the frame 556. The drive shaft 598 has an axis of rotation602 that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis 536 of thecassette 500. A female input coupling 604 is attached to one end of thedrive shaft 598 and extends to the pinion gear opening 530. In theoperative position of the cassette the input coupling receives a piniongear 606 (FIG. 84) which is in operative connection with a bidirectionalstepper motor 608 (FIG. 62). The motor 608 is operatively connected tothe terminal controller 62 as seen in FIG. 62. The controller 62 may bethe central computer of the automated banking machine, or any suitablemodule controller or processor. Alternatively, control circuitry may beprovided which includes a processor and which circuitry comprises thecontroller 62.

The example input coupling 604 includes inner teeth 610 that meshinglyengage outer teeth 612 of the pinion gear 606 so that rotation of thepinion gear 606 rotates the input coupling 604 and hence the drive shaft598. The drive shaft 598 is in engagement with a first bevel gear 614with an embedded one-way clutch 616 (schematically indicated in FIG. 60)and is operatively connected to the drive shaft 598 to drive the pinchrollers. The drive shaft 598 is also in engagement with a four-positioncam 618 with an embedded one-way clutch 620 (schematically indicated inFIG. 63). The cam 618 causes the front and rear guides 576, 588 to eachpivot between two positions to provide four operative configurations ofthe guides. When the drive shaft 598 rotates counterclockwise asrepresented by arrow A of FIG. 59, the one-way clutch 616 associatedwith the first bevel gear 614 engages such that first bevel gear 614rotates with the drive shaft 598, but the one-way clutch 620 of the cam618 does not engage and move with the drive shaft so that the cam 618remains stationary with respect to the drive shaft 598. When the driveshaft 598 rotates clockwise as represented by arrow B of FIG. 59, theone-way clutch 616 in the first bevel gear 614 does not engage and movewith the drive shaft such that first bevel gear 614 remains stationarywith respect to the drive shaft 598, but the one-way clutch 620 of thecam 618 engages such that the cam 618 rotates with the drive shaft 598.

Referring to FIG. 60, the example drive arrangement 596 includes asecond bevel gear 622 that rotates about an axis transverse to therotational axis 602 of the drive shaft 598. The second bevel gear 622includes inner beveled teeth 624. Teeth 626 of the first bevel gearmeshingly engage the inner beveled teeth 624 of the second bevel gear622 at the front end of the second bevel gear 622. The second bevel gear622 includes outer teeth 628 that engage teeth 630 of an upper frontgear 632. The upper front gear 632 includes a hub opening 634 thatreceives the upper front axle 554. The hub opening 634 is non-circularin shape that conforms with the shape of the axle in the area of the hubso that the upper front gear 632 rotates with the upper front axle 554.The teeth 630 of the upper front gear 632 also engage teeth of an upperrear gear 636. The upper rear gear 636 includes a hub opening 634 thatreceives the upper rear axle 558. The hub opening is non-circular inshape so that the upper rear gear is in operative connection with androtates 636 with the upper rear axle 558. The teeth 630 of the upperfront gear 632 also engage teeth 640 (FIG. 63) of a front idler gear642. The front idler gear 642 is operative supported on the front shaft572 and freely rotates relative to the front shaft 572. The teeth 640 ofthe front idler gear 642 also meshingly engage teeth of a lower frontgear 646. The lower front gear 646 includes a hub opening that receivesthe lower front axle 564. The hub opening is non-circular in shape sothat the lower front gear is in operatively fixed engagement with androtates 646 with the lower front axle 564. The teeth of the lower frontgear 646 also meshingly engage teeth of a lower rear gear 648. The lowerrear gear 648 includes a hub opening that receives the lower rear axle566. The hub opening is non-circular in shape and is in operativelyfixed engagement with axle 566 so that the lower rear gear 648 rotateswith the lower rear axle 566. Of course this engagement is exemplary andin other embodiments other arrangements of gears or other drive membersmay be used, for example rollers, belts or other structures.

Rotation of the first bevel gear 614 in the direction indicated by A ofFIGS. 59 and 60, causes rotation of the second bevel gear 622 in thecounterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIGS. 59 and 60) which in turncauses rotation of the upper front gear 632 in the clockwise direction.Rotation of the upper front gear 632 in the clockwise direction causesrotation of both the front idler gear 642 and the upper rear gear 636 inthe counterclockwise direction. Rotation of the front idler gear 642 inthe counterclockwise direction rotates the lower front gear 646 in theclockwise direction, which in turn rotates the lower rear gear 648 inthe counterclockwise direction. Rotation of the upper front gear 632 inthe clockwise direction rotates the upper front pinch rollers 550clockwise and rotation of the upper rear gear 636 rotates the upper rearpinch rollers 552 such that they engage and move a bill from the inputopening 544 down into the cassette 500. Rotation of the lower front gear646 in the clockwise direction rotates the lower front pinch rollers 560clockwise and rotation of the lower rear gear 648 rotates the lower rearpinch rollers 562 such that they engage and move a bill transported fromthe upper front and rear pinch rollers 550, 552 down into the cassette500.

Referring to FIG. 63, the exemplary cam 618 is centered between and justabove the front and rear shafts 572, 584. The cam 618 includes a rim orperiphery 650 that has profiled front and rear cam surfaces 652, 654that are engaged by respective front and rear gate arms 656, 658 whichact as cam followers. The front cam surface 652 has first and secondportions 660, 662. The first portion 660 extends a further distanceforwardly than that of the second portion 662. Referring to FIG. 64, therear cam surface 654 has first and second portions 664, 666. The firstportion 660 extends a further distance rearwardly than that of thesecond portion 662. The cam 618 includes notches 668 formed in the camsurfaces at the junction of their respective portions. The notches areconfigured to include a step so that when the notch is engaged with agate arm, the cam will not move counterclockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 59,61 and 63) and slip out of position when the drive shaft 598 rotates inthe counterclockwise direction A. A magnet 670 is embedded into theexemplary cam 618 between the front and rear cam surfaces 652, 654. Ananalog Hall Effect sensor 672 is operatively connected to the housing ofthe machine outside the cassette. The sensor is operative to sense atleast one property of the magnetic field of the magnet to detect atleast one position of the magnet 670. As seen in FIG. 62, the HallEffect sensor 672 is operatively connected to the controller 62 so thatthis position data can be resolved through operation of the controller62. The controller 62 determines the home or starting position of thecam from this data. The controller is operative to output controlsignals to the motor 608 to operate the motor to cause the guides toselectively pivot to positions for directing sheets to desired portionsof the cassette interior area based on data received by the controlleras will be explained further.

Referring to FIG. 63, the example front gate arm 656 is in operativelyfixed engagement with the front shaft 572 of the gating system 570. Thefront gate arm 656 has a proximal portion 674 that extends generallyradially outward in the rearward direction from the front shaft anddistal portion 676 that extends or angles rearwardly from the proximalportion 674 and axially away from the guides. A front retainingprojection 678 extends from the front gate arm towards the front guides576. The example rear gate arm 658 is in operatively fixed engagementwith the rear shaft 584 of the gate system at a location on the rearshaft near the cam 618. The rear gate arm 658 has a proximal portion 680that extends generally radially outward in the forward direction fromthe rear shaft 584 and a distal portion 682 that extends or anglesforwardly from the proximal portion 680 and axially away from the rearguides 588. A rear retaining projection 684 extends from the rear gatearm 658 towards the rear guides 588. A tension spring 683 with oppositefront and rear looped ends 686, 688 is operatively connected to thefront and rear gate arms 656, 658. In particular, the front looped end686 engages the front retaining projection 678 of the front gate arm 656and the rear looped end 688 receives the rear retaining projection 684of the rear gate arm 658. The tension spring 683 serves to urge andmaintain the gate arms in contact with the cam surfaces. Of course, thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other structures may beused.

When the front gate arm 656 contacts the first portion 660 of the frontcam surface 652 and the rear gate arm 658 contacts the first portion 664of the rear cam surface 654, the cam 618 and guides are in the firstposition (FIG. 65). In the first position, the rear guides 588 arepivoted to and positioned in a forward position and the front guides 576are pivoted to and positioned in a rearward position. In this position,the guides 576, 588 block the bill or other sheet from being transportedfrom the input opening further downstream into the cassette 500 orretract bin 568. When the front gate arm 656 contacts the second portion662 of the front cam surface 652 and the rear gate arm 658 contacts thefirst portion 664 of the rear cam surface 654, the cam 618 and guidesare in the second position (FIG. 66). In the second position, the frontguides 576 pivot to an upright position and the rear guides 588 are inthe forward position. In this position, the front guides 576 block thebill or other sheet from entering front portion 690 of the cassette 500,but the rear guides 588 direct the bill between the upper rear rollers552 and the rear idler rollers 586 and into the opening of the retractbin 568.

When the front gate arm 656 contacts the second portion 662 of the frontcam surface 652 and the rear gate arm 658 contacts the second portion666 of the rear cam surface 654, the cam 618 and guides are in the thirdposition (FIG. 67). In the third position, the front and rear guides576, 588 are in upright positions. In this position, the rear guides 588block the bill from entering the opening of the retract bin 568 and thefront guides 576 block the bill from entering the front portion 690 ofthe cassette. However, the front and rear guides 576, 588 direct thebill into the lower front and rear pinch rollers 560, 562. The lowerfront and rear pinch rollers 560, 562 direct the bill to engage a plate693 with an s-shaped profile in cross section that slopes downwardly andrearwardly to direct the bill rearwardly and downwardly into rearportion 692 of the cassette 500. When the front gate arm 656 contactsthe first portion 660 of the front cam surface 652 and the rear gate arm658 contacts the second portion 666 of the rear cam surface 654, the cam618 and guides are in the fourth position (FIG. 68). In the fourthposition, the front guides 576 pivot to the rearward position and therear guides 588 are in the upward position. In this position, the rearguides 588 block the bill from entering the retract compartment of thecassette 500, but the front guides 576 direct the bill between the upperfront rollers 550 and the front idler rollers 574 and then forwardly anddownwardly into the front portion 690 of the cassette 500. Thisexemplary configuration enables this exemplary drive arrangement 596 touse a single bidirectional motor 608 to both transport the bills and tocontrol the gates thereby using less parts and reducing cost. However,this structure is exemplary and in other embodiments other structuresmay be used.

Referring to FIG. 69, in the example embodiment front and rearreflective sensors 694, 696 are positioned over front and rear windowsor openings 698, 700 in the top portion of the cassette. Each of theopenings is covered by a clear lens 702 (FIG. 58). The front and rearsensors 694, 696 are operatively connected to the controller 62 throughappropriate circuitry and provide outputs thereto as represented in FIG.62. The sensors 694, 696 are able to provide signals indicative of adistance to an item and thus indicate the height of the piles or stacksof bills or other sheets 502 in the portion of the cassette below thewindow. The optical sensors 694, 696 may be of any suitable type such asan infrared long range radiation sensor. Of course in other embodimentsother types of sensors may be used such as other types of radiationsensors, sonic sensors or ultrasonic sensors, for example. The sensors694, 696 allow for a non-contact approach to sensing the upper surfaceof the stored bills or other sheets and in some embodiments mayeliminate the need for additional sensing mechanisms. As depicted inFIG. 69, the front sensor 694 emits an infrared light beam 704 that isreflected to the sensor. The reflected signal is indicative of thedistance to a bill at the tope of a front bill stack 706 located in thefront portion 690. The light beam 704 is reflected from the front billstack 706 back to the front sensor 694. The example front sensor 694 andassociated circuitry outputs a voltage based on the received light thatcorresponds to the distance from the front sensor 694 to the front billstack 706. The closer the front bill pile stack 706 is to the frontsensor 694, the higher the output voltage. At least one outputcorresponding to the values output from the front sensor 694 is receivedby the controller 62.

The rear sensor 696 emits an infrared light beam 708 which reaches thetop of a rear bill pile stack 710 located in the rear portion 692. Thelight beam 708 is reflected from the top of rear bill stack 710 back tothe rear sensor 696. The example rear sensor 696 and associatedcircuitry outputs a voltage based on the received light that correspondsto the distance from the rear sensor 696 to the top of the underlyingrear bill stack 710. The closer the rear bill stack 710 is to the rearoptical sensor 696, the higher the output voltage. At least one outputcorresponding to outputs from the rear sensor 696 is received by thecontroller 62. The controller 62 receives signals responsive to thesensors and operates in accordance with its programming to keep track ofthe heights of the front and rear bill stack areas 706, 710. In anexemplary embodiment, when the controller 62 determines that the rearbill stack area 710 has a height that is at least a set amount higherthan the front bill stack area 706, the controller 62 operates to outputcontrol signals to the motor 608 to cause the cam 618 to be rotated toits fourth position in which the front and rear guides 576, 588 pivot totheir positions shown in FIG. 68. In this position, the next bill 502that is to be transported to the interior area of the cassette 500 willbe directed toward the front bill stack area 706. In an examplearrangement when the controller 62 determines that the front bill stackarea 706 is higher than the rear bill stack area 710 by at least aprogrammed amount, the controller 62 outputs control signals to themotor 608 to cause the cam 618 to be rotated to its third position shownin FIG. 67. In this position, the next bill 502 that is to betransported to the interior area of the cassette will be directed towardthe rear bill stack area 710. This method of distributing the bills toeither side of the cassette minimizes bill jamming situations andoptimizes capacity. The amount by which the height of the bill stackareas differ to change where bills are directed may be programmable sothat curled or folded sheets do not cause unneeded redirection of billsentering the cassette. Further, in some embodiments the controller maybe programmed so that the sensed stack height must be consistently anamount higher than the other area over multiple bill acceptingtransactions so that curled or folded sheets do not produce falseindications of stack area height. Of course these approaches areexemplary.

As seen in FIG. 69, in the example arrangement the retract bin 568 isunder the rear window opening 700. The bottom 712 of the retract bin 568includes an opening 713 that is transparent to radiation output by thesensors and vertically aligned with the rear opening 700 on the topportion 504. The rear sensor 696 can then be used to monitor the statusof sheets in the retract bin 568 as well as the height of the rear billstack 710 below the retract bin 568. In particular, as part of thenormal operation of the free fall cassette 500, currency bills aredirected to the location in the interior area just under the retract bin568 when the guides 576, 588 are in the third position. By design theheight of the rear bill stack 710 in this location is guaranteed not toget higher than position 2 (P2), which is at the underside of the bottom712 of the retract bin 568. Once a single bill enters the retract bin568 the rear optical sensor 696 outputs the corresponding voltage whichwill correspond to the bill at position 3 (P3), which is on the bottom712 of the retract bin 568. The controller 62 receives one or moresignals that correspond to this condition. The controller then acts inaccordance with its programming in response to this condition. In someembodiments the controller may operate to cause an indicator to be setso that a servicer on a future service call will be aware that currencyis in this retract bin. Alternatively or in addition, the controller mayoperate to cause at least one message to be sent to a remote server fromthe machine to indicate that currency now occupies this bin. Thisreporting may be done to warn the machine operator that sheets nowoccupy this bin. In some systems, systems operators may want to send aservicer to remove bills from this pin promptly to avoid sheets placedin the bin during one user transaction from being co-mingled with billsfrom another user transaction. This bin might be used in someembodiments to hold suspect counterfeits. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the retract bin may be used to hold bills presented to amachine user that were not taken and were retracted. In otherembodiments the retract bin may be used for holding other types ofsheets that need to be segregated from other sheets in the container.Bills can fill this retract bin 568 up to the ceiling 714, which isindicated as position 4 (P4), where also by design they cannot get anycloser to the rear optical sensor 696.

The voltage-distance graph for an exemplary rear reflective sensor 696and associated circuitry is indicated in FIG. 70. Using the sensor rangesensing characteristics, three distinct states (retract bin is empty,bills are present in the retract bin, and retract bin is full) can bedetermined by the controller 62. When the rear sensor 696 outputsvoltage that is equal to or below voltage corresponding to position 2,the controller is enabled to determine that the retract bin 568 isempty. The sensor in this range provides an indication of the height ofthe stack in the rear area of the cassette below the retract bin. Whenthe sensor outputs voltage that is between position 3 and position 4,the controller 62 is enabled to determine bills 502 are present in theretract bin 568. When the rear optical sensor 696 outputs voltage thatis equal to or above position 4, the controller 62 is enabled todetermine that the retract bin 568 is full. This ceiling 714 of theretract bin 568 ensures that the right side of the voltage curve isbeing used rather than the inflection point where the voltage curvedecreases as notes get even closer to the rear optical sensor 696. Ofcourse, it should be understood that this sensing signal arrangement isexemplary and in other embodiments other arrangements may be used.

In an exemplary arrangement when the bills and other sheets 502 arebeing deposited into the interior area of cassette 500, each currencybill 502 moved or transported at high speeds by the pinch rollers and(unless being directed into the retract bin) is basically thrown intothe interior area toward the front or rear areas. After the last pair ofpinch rollers, each bill may be airborne and in some arrangements mayfly in an unpredictable manner as it falls and settles on the bottom.The unpredictability may occur in some arrangements due to the countlessvariations of shapes that the bill may get folded by persons who handleit in the course of its life. The bills 502 may fill up the open spacein an irregular manner shown in FIG. 71. When the pile or height of thebills reaches various levels, the heights may be sensed as full andreported so the cassette is changed by a servicer before it issubstantially full. If the height of the sensed bills reaches an upperlimit as indicated by the sensors, depositing of the bills into thecassette is halted by the controller and the cassette is declared fulland a remote notification is given.

However, as represented in FIG. 71, in some bill accepting arrangementsdue the high speed and unpredictability of general circulation notesmentioned above, the bills may fill up the front and rear corners at thebottom of the cassette first such that the shape of the tops of the billsurfaces form a bowl shape. Then, subsequent bills may impact the steepsides of the bowl and start to curl up and form a pile at that locationquickly reaching up to the ceiling. The optical sensors measuring thebill pile height may indicate that the cassette is full even though alarge portion in the center of the cassette has few bills. In additionthe curled bills take up excessive space relative to bills that are notcurled. This may lead to more service calls to change the cassetteswhich in turn increases the time and cost of servicing the machine.

An exemplary arrangement will now be discussed that reduces this problemin embodiments where it arises and which may help maximize the storagecapacity for holding bills or other sheets that tend to curl. For thebills 502 that are directed to the front portion 690 of the cassette 500as shown in FIG. 72, the speed of the bill is reduced for a last portionof the bill as it is leaving engagement with the rollers 550, 574. For aU.S. bill, the last portion may be about the final 13 mm of the bill,but other lengths will work depending on the speed, sheet properties andsheet moving member geometry. In particular, the example arrangementincludes a first sensor 716 such as a photo sensor or any suitablesensing device that is positioned at a location in which the firstsensor 716 is able to sense when the desired length of the bill 502remains in the pinch point between the front idler rollers 574 and upperfront pinch rollers 550. Other arrangements may sense the length of thesheet that is beyond the pinch point. The exemplary first sensor 716 isoperatively connected to the controller 62 as seen in FIG. 63. Otherways of detecting that the desired length of the bill 502 remains in thepinch point between the rollers 550, 574 rollers could be used as well.In operation, the bill travels out of the front idler rollers 574 andupper front pinch rollers 550 at a high speed which in an exemplaryembodiment is about 1500 mm/sec. When the first sensor 716 detects thatthe desired remaining length of the bill 502 remains in the pinch pointof the rollers 550, 574, change in signals from the first sensor 716 isdetected through operation of the controller 62. The controller 62operates in accordance with its programming and causes signals to besent to the motor 608 which are operative to cause a decrease the speedof the motor 608. This causes the upper front and rear pinch rollers550, 552 cause the bill 502 to be transported at a lower speed as itmoves out of the front idler rollers 574 and upper front pinch rollers550 and disengages therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment the speed israpidly reduced to about 500 mm/sec. Hence, in this example the leadingedge 718 of the bill gets pushed out at a high speed of 1500 mm/sec andthen the last portion of the bill is moving out of engagement at aslower speed. As a result, the bill leaves the last pinch point anddisengages slower but at the same shallow angle as it was when exitingthe rollers 550, 574. This in turn causes less curling of bills and cancreate a flatter front bill stack 706 starting at the bottom wall 506 ofthe cassette 500.

Once the bill has disengaged the front idler rollers 574 and the upperfront pinch rollers 550, the processor of the example arrangementoperates in accordance with its programming to cause the main transportto be quickly ramped back up to the higher speed. This may be done byproviding a second sensor 720 at a location that detects when the billhas disengaged the upper rollers. In particular, the second sensor 720is in operative connection with the controller 62 and causes signals tobe received by the controller 62 upon detecting that the bill 502 hasdisengaged the front idler rollers 574 and the upper front pinch rollers550. The controller 62 in turn causes signals to the motor 608 thatincrease the speed of the motor 608 such that the front and rear pinchrollers 550, 552 cause the subsequent bill 502 to be transported at thehigher speed out of the front idler rollers 574 and the upper frontpinch rollers 550. This increase in speed prevents the subsequent billthat may be following a distance behind the first bill at about thehigher speed of the transport from being jammed into the rollers andcrumpled.

In an example embodiment this process may be repeated on all the bills502 directed to the front portion 690 of the cassette 500 for the firstamount of bills directed to the front storage area. In an exemplaryembodiment, this may be done for about thirty percent of heightavailable in the front portion 690 as sensed by the front sensor 694. Atthis volume in example arrangements, the front bill stack area 706 ofthe bills generally has a flat base of stacked bills so that subsequentbills 502 will stack more flatly on the pile. Thus, when the height ofthe bills as sensed by the front sensor 694 reaches a programmed setpoint the controller 62 operates in accordance with its programming tocause the motor 608 to rotate at a speed that causes the upper pinchrollers 550, 552 to transport the bill entirely through the device atthe higher speed. Of course this approach is exemplary. Further in theexample arrangement when the front optical sensor 694 senses that thefront stack area reaches about 90% capacity with respect to the heightof bills in the front portion 690 of the cassette 500, the controller 62of an exemplary embodiment operates in accordance with its programmingto cause the motor 608 to rotate at a speed that causes the upper pinchrollers 550, 552 to transport the bill at a somewhat lower speed thanthe maximum. In an exemplary embodiment this speed causes the bills tomove at about 1140 mm/sec. This process keeps the top of the pilerelatively flat in an exemplary embodiment and allows the deposit of themaximum number of bills to optimize the capacity of the front portion690 of the cassette 500. Of course this approach is exemplary for theparticular arrangement and bill type, and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment, for the bills directed to the rear portion692 of the interior area, a weighted ribbon assembly 722 (FIGS. 59 and73-77) is provided to help distribute the bills more evenly. Theexemplary weighted ribbon assembly is but one example arrangement of astructure or structures that serves to engage moving sheets that arebeing released from the transport and generally slow their speed withoutsignificant deformation so the sheets generally fall in a flat manner.The ribbon assembly also provides some random engagement with billswhich helps to disburse the bills in the rear area below the ribbon.

In the exemplary arrangement, the weighted ribbon assembly comprises ahalf inch wide fabric ribbon 724 as best seen in FIG. 73. The ribbon 724is operatively fastened at one end to the underside of the bottom 712 ofthe retract bin 568. The ribbon 724 extends downwardly into the interiorof the rear portion 692. A small cylindrical weight 726 is secured tothe distal or free hanging end of the ribbon 724. The weighted ribbonassembly 722 is located in the bill path downstream or generallydownwardly and rearwardly from the lower pinch rollers 560, 562. Inoperation, the leading area of bills 502 moving to disengage off thelower pinch rollers 560, 562 strike the ribbon 724, which slows themdown until they lie generally horizontally and drop generally verticallyonce the bills disengage from the rollers. The exemplary weighted ribbonassembly 722 is slightly off center relative to the bill center line.This offset position tends to put a slight spin on the bills 502 as theydisengage from the ribbon 724 which may also help to distribute themmore evenly. Also, the random swing of the weighted ribbon assembly 722after a bill 502 impacts it helps distribute the bills 502 more evenlyon the rear portion 692 of the cassette 500. The exemplary weightedribbon assembly 722 is constructed and arranged on the cassette 500 sothat about 70 percent of the bills actually impact the ribbon 724. Ofcourse this arrangement is exemplary and other arrangements may be used.

FIGS. 74-77 illustrate exemplary sequential stages in which a billstrikes the weight ribbon assembly 722. FIG. 74 shows the bill moving ata high speed horizontally just before striking the ribbon 724. FIG. 75shows the bill impacting the ribbon 724 and slowing down at the free endof the bill moving horizontally. FIG. 76 shows the bill 502 when itstops moving horizontally at the free end after striking the ribbon 724.FIG. 77 shows the bill 502 lying horizontally and dropping verticallyafter disengaging from the rollers.

The exemplary weighted ribbon arrangement is usable in the exemplarycassette and provides an alternative approach to avoiding curling ofbills that are inclined to deform in this manner due to impacts withbills and other surfaces bounding the cassette. For example, in thisexemplary arrangement the bill speed as bills are output toward the rearof the cassette is generally maintained at about 1500 mm/sec. As aresult, when bills are directed to the rear of the example cassette itis not necessary for the processor to control the motor speed so as toreduce the speed at the time of release from the rollers to a lowervalue so as to achieve the bills settling in a generally flatconfiguration within the interior area of the cassette. This approachmay be particularly beneficial in arrangements where bills entering thetransport mechanism of the cassette are moving at a generally uniformspeed which corresponds to the higher speed of incoming sheet movement.As a result, the approach of using the weighted ribbon or a similarstructure allows the bills to move at a continuous speed and avoids thepossibility for jams and malfunctions due to changing speeds within thetransport of the cassette. Further, in some arrangements it may bedesirable to employ both approaches of changing speeds and alsoemploying a member that engages the sheets in a releasible and movablefashion so as to achieve desired stacking. The approaches taken maydepend on the nature of the particular sheets and the geometry of theparticular cassette arrangement being employed. Further, it should beappreciated that the weighted ribbon is but one structure that can beused to achieve a desired effect of suitably slowing the bills withoutcausing deformation thereto and releasing the bills in a manner thatenables the bills to fall in a generally flat configuration. Otherstructures may include flexible webs of material, movable surfacestructures, jets of air pressure or other things that can slow andrelease the sheet in a desired manner.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the rear optical sensor 696 senses thatthe rear bill stack 710 reaches about 90% capacity with respect to theheight of the rear portion 692 of the cassette 500, the controller 62operates in accordance with its programming to cause the motor 608 torotate at a somewhat slower speed that causes the lower pinch rollers560, 562 to transport the bill at a lower speed. In the exemplaryembodiment the speed of the rollers is reduced to about 1140 mm/sec. Inthe exemplary embodiment this process keeps the top of the pilerelatively flat and thus allows the deposit of the maximum number ofbills to optimize the capacity of the rear portion 692 of the cassette500. Of course this approach is exemplary and may vary with sheet andtransport geometry.

The exemplary free fall cassette 500 may be positioned within theinterior area of the chest 16 of the rear load machine as shown in FIG.78. Since the rear chest door 50 may be relatively large and thick, thefree fall cassette may be positioned forwardly in the interior area ofthe chest so that there is sufficient clearance to allow the chest door50 to close. When the chest door is open, the viewing angle of thecassette by the servicer or other user who is standing may be limited toonly seeing the lower portions as illustrated in FIG. 78. This isbecause the top wall or ceiling 542 of the chest 16 of the exemplaryarrangement may be low such as about 18 inches above the floor. Thislocation may require that the servicer get on his or her knees when bothinserting and removing the cassette 500. In addition, if a latchingmechanism for the cassette were to employ a manually actuatable lever,the lever that releases a latching mechanism to release the cassettewould be located at a position that would require the servicer to lowerhis or her head to peer inside the chest in order to locate and grab it,or kneel or otherwise move from a normal standing position to releasethe cassette from the operative position.

An exemplary arrangement will now be discussed that may be used to makethe removal and installation of the cassette 500 or other similardevices easier in some exemplary arrangements. Referring to FIGS. 58 and79, the cassette 500 includes left and right side rails 728, 730 thatmay be slidably inserted and engaged with left and right slideassemblies 732, 734 (FIGS. 80 and 81), which are in operativelysupported connection with the chest 16. The left side rail 728 isoperatively mounted to the exterior side of the left side wall 514 ofthe cassette 500 by any suitable fasteners 736 such as screws and nuts.Rollers or wheels 738, 740, 742, 744 are rotatably mounted to the leftside rail 730 to facilitate axial movement of the left side rail 730 asit slides along the left slide assembly 732. The right side rail 730 isoperatively mounted to an exterior side of the right side wall 512 byany suitable fasteners 746 such as screws and nuts. Rollers or wheels748, 750, 752, 754 are rotatably mounted to the right side rail 730 tofacilitate axial movement of the right side rail as it slides along theright slide assembly 734.

The exemplary left and right slide assemblies 732, 734 are inoperatively mounted in connection with the chest housing via a frame757. In particular, the exemplary frame 757 includes a top wall 756(FIG. 57) and front, left and right walls 758, 760, 762 that extenddownwardly from the top wall 756. The frame 757 is open at the bottomand rear. The frame 757 may be operatively mounted to the top wall orceiling 542 of the chest 16. The exemplary frame 757 may be formed inone piece and made of metal or other suitable material. Optionally, theframe 757 may also be operatively mounted in engagement of the left sidewall 764 of the chest 16 as shown. A generally inverted U-shaped supportbracket 766 is operatively mounted to the rear end of the frame 757. Asseen in FIG. 57, the frame 757 includes a hook member 768 that isoperatively mounted to the inner side of the front wall 758. The hookmember 768 includes an elongated channel 770 and a flange portion 772that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top of the channel 770.Of course it should be understood that these structures are exemplary.

Referring to FIG. 82, the exemplary left slide assembly 732 isoperatively mounted to the inner side of the left wall 760 of the frame757. Specifically, the left slide assembly 732 includes an outer slidemember 774 that is fixed to the frame 757 by suitable fasteners. Forexample, the fasteners may be front and rear tabs 776, 778 (FIG. 80)integrally formed in the left slide assembly that extend into slotsformed in the frame 757. Such a fastening arrangement is furtherdescribed in U.S. provisional application No. 61/465,240, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Alternatively other mounting arrangements may be used. The exemplaryleft slide assembly 732 includes an inner slide member 780 that isslidably received by the outer slide member 774. A funnel shaped railguide 782 is operatively attached to the rear end of the inner slidemember 780. The rail guide 782 is generally made of a low frictionmaterial such as plastic and includes top, bottom, and outer walls 784,786, 788 that extend rearwardly and radially outwardly from the rear endof the inner slide member 780 to help guide the left side rail 728 ofthe cassette 500 into the inner slide member 780.

In an exemplary embodiment, a tension spring 790 is operatively attachedto the inner slide member 780 and the left wall 760 of the frame 757 tobias or urge the inner slide member 780 rearwardly. A magnetic stop 792is attached to the front end of the inner slide member 780. The magneticstop 792 is also configured to apply a holding force to the slidemembers 774, 780 that resists or minimizes the bouncing of the slidemembers 774, 780 while the cassette 500 is being moved forwardly intothe interior area of the chest 16. This holding force is at a level toresist the bumping and bouncing of the cassette 500 but can also beeasily overcome when the service person pushes forwardly on the cassetteas it slides along the left slide assembly 732 to dock the cassettewithin the interior area of the chest.

Referring to FIG. 83, the exemplary right slide assembly 734 isoperatively mounted to the inner side of the right wall 762 of the frame757. Specifically, the right slide assembly 734 includes an outer slidemember 794 that is fixed to the frame 757 by suitable fasteners such asthe tab and slot arrangement mentioned above or other arrangement. Theright slide assembly 734 includes an inner slide member 796 that isslidably received by the outer slide member 794. A funnel shaped railguide 798 is operative attached to the rear end of the inner slidemember 796. The rail guide 798 is generally made of a low frictionmaterial such as plastic and includes top, bottom and outer walls 800,802, 804 that extend rearwardly and radially outwardly to help guide theright side rail 730 of the cassette 500 into the inner slide member 796.A tension spring 806 is operatively attached to the inner slide member796 and the right wall 762 of the frame 757 to bias or urge the innerslide member 796 rearwardly. A magnetic stop 808 is attached to thefront end of the inner slide member 796. The magnetic stop 808 is alsoconfigured to apply a holding force to the slide members 794, 796 thatresists or minimizes the bouncing of the slide members 794, 796 whilethe cassette 500 is being moved forwardly in the interior area of thechest 16. This holding force is at a level to resist the bumping andbouncing of the cassette 500 but can also be easily overcome when theservicer pushes forwardly on the cassette as it slides along the rightslide assembly 734 to dock the cassette 500. When the cassette 500 isnot inserted and docked into the chest 16, the force of the exemplarytension springs 790, 806 urges the inner slide members 780, 796 toextend rearwardly beyond the rear opening of the chest 16. In anexemplary arrangement, the slide members extend approximately 50 mmbeyond the rear of the chest. This exemplary positioning as well as therail guides 782, 798 allows a servicer to more readily slidably insertthe cassette into the inner slide members 780, 796 without getting onhis or her knees. This also causes a cassette that is disengaged fromthe latch to be biased by the springs rearward so it is visible to aservicer.

In an exemplary arrangement, a sensor plate assembly 810 may beremovably mounted to the frame 757 just below the top wall 756 as seenin FIGS. 80 and 81. Referring to FIG. 84, the sensor plate assembly 810includes a generally horizontal platen 812 that is rectangular in shape.The sensor plate assembly 810 also includes a front portion 814 that inthe operative position extends downwardly from the front end of theplaten 812. The front portion 814 includes a right motor compartment 816that houses the stepper motor 608. The pinion gear 604 in operativeconnection with the stepper motor 608 extends rearwardly through rearside 813 of the front portion 814. A pair of docking pins 818 extendrearwardly from the rear side 813 of the front portion 814 and areoperative to engage the docking pin slots 530 operatively connected tothe cassette 500. A push-to-release latch 820 extends from the rear side813 of the front portion 814 and is located between the docking pins818. In the exemplary arrangement when the cassette is docked in thechest 16, the push-to-release latch 820 releasably engages a femalecoupling 912 (FIG. 86) operatively secured to the chest 16. Thepush-to-release latch 820 may be a spring and catch arrangement that issuitable to releasibly latch and release the cassette 500 by pushing thelatch forwardly. A bumper 822 may be operatively fixed to the rear side813 of the front portion 814 to absorb the force applied by the cassette500 moving forward when it is docked.

Referring to FIG. 79 in the exemplary arrangement, a hanging shaft 824is operatively mounted to left and right support plates 826, 828 viascrews or other suitable fasteners. The support plates 826, 828 arefixed to front side 830 of the front portion 814 of the sensor plateassembly 810 and extend forwardly therefrom. The hanging shaft 824extends axially in a direction that is generally transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the sensor plate assembly 810 and is spacedforwardly from the front portion 814. A pair of left and right rollers832, 834 are rotatably mounted at the rear end of the sensor plateassembly 810. Referring to FIG. 84, a rear support plate 836 is fixed tothe rear end of the platen 812 and extends upwardly therefrom and alsobetween the rollers 832, 834. The rear support plate 836 may be formedin one piece with platen or be formed as a separated piece. A springloaded plunger 838 is operatively mounted to support plate 836. Thespring loaded plunger 838 includes a head 840 that extends rearwardlyfrom the rear side of the support plate 836, and a shaft 842 (FIG. 79)that extends forwardly from the head 840 and through the support plate836. Applying a rearward force on the head 840 retracts or moves theshaft rearwardly. The shaft is releasibly engageable with an aperture ina mounting structure that when engaged will hold the sensor plate in theoperative position as later described.

A docking slot 844 is formed in the exemplary platen 812 and lowerportion of the support plate 836. The slot 844 extends downwardly fromthe lower portion of the support plate 836 and forwardly from the rearend of the platen 812. The docking slot 844 is sized to accept andcapture a shoulder screw 846 (FIG. 85) which serves as a projectingmember protruding from the top portion 504 of the cassette 500, when thecassette 500 is docked. The docking slot 844 provides sufficientclearance at the lower portion of the support plate 836 to allow theshoulder screw 846 to pass through as the cassette moves in the forwardor rearward direction. As seen in FIG. 79, the exemplary sensor plateassembly 810 includes front and rear sensor modules 848, 850 mounted tothe upper side of the platen 812 and electrically coupled to a wiringharness. As seen in FIG. 84, the front sensor module 848 includes thefront reflective sensor 694 which is exposed by a front opening formedin the platen 812. The rear module 850 includes the rear reflectivesensor 696 which is exposed by a rear opening formed in the platen 812.A bill opening 852 is formed in the platen 812 and located between thefront and rear optical sensors 694, 696.

The exemplary sensor plate assembly 810 is mounted to the frame 757 withthe chest door in the open position as follows. First, the hanging shaft824 is inserted into the channel 770 of the hook member 768 by theservicer so as to be engaged therewith. Then, the sensor plate assembly810 is swung upwardly (as depicted in FIG. 80) until the shaft 842 ofthe plunger 838 is downwardly adjacent the support bracket 766. Then,the head 840 of the plunger 838 is pulled rearwardly by the serviceruntil the shaft 842 moves away from the support bracket. The shaft 824is then aligned with a retaining aperture formed in the support bracket766. The servicer then releases the head 840 of plunger 838 such thatthe shaft 842 moves through the aperture 854 by the force of the springin the plunger 838. As seen in FIG. 83, the hanging shaft 824 is spacedfrom the front side 830 of the front portion 814 with clearance that issufficient to allow the flange 772 to extend through so that the shaft824 may be seated in the channel 770.

As seen in FIG. 78 an exemplary chest transport mechanism 856 is mountedto the top wall 542 of the chest 16 and aligned above the opening 852 ofthe platen 812 and input opening 544 of the cassette 500 to move thebills (or other sheets) from the sheet accepting device or other billtransport mechanism into the chest 16. Often, because of the need tomove the location of the bill accepting device for servicing, theposition of such device relative to the top wall 542 of the chest 16varies along the longitudinal direction. This may be due to variances inthe locking position of slides or trays that support the bill acceptingdevice and that allow it to be moved for servicing activities. Forexample, in some embodiments the location may vary in the range of about+/−8 mm with respect to the chest transport mechanism 856. That is, thelocation may vary such that the bill path of the bill accepting deviceis unaligned by about 8 mm in the forward direction from the chesttransport mechanism 856 to about 8 mm in the rearward direction from thechest transport mechanism 856. In the absence of a structure toaccommodate such variance, this might require an adjustment to be madeor other steps taken to make this difference as small as possible. Suchan adjustment might require significant time and cost to do.

This exemplary chest transport mechanism 856 is configured to generallyeliminate the need for such adjustment or other structures. Referring toFIG. 87, the exemplary chest transport mechanism 856 includes a metalframe 858. The frame includes a top portion and right and left mountingplates. A stepper motor 860 with motor and sensor cable 861 attachedthereto is operatively mounted to the left side of the frame 858. Thetop portion 862 includes an input opening 864 that receives the billsfrom the bill accepting device or other sheet accepting device. Theinput opening 864 of this example embodiment extends beyond theperiphery of the bill path of the bill accepting device to accommodatethe range of locations of the bill accepting device with respect to thechest transport mechanism 856. In particular, as seen in FIG. 89, afront ramp portion 866 extends downwardly and rearwardly from the frontupper edge of the input opening 864 and a rear ramp portion 868 extendsdownwardly and forwardly from the rear upper edge of the opening todefine in cross section a generally funnel or v-shaped passage 870.

Left, center, and right pairs of front pinch rollers 872, 874, 876 andrear pinch rollers 878, 880, 882 are provided downstream of the inputopening 864 for engaging the bills 502 to transport them to the cassette500. The rollers 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882 extend through cut outsformed in the ramp portions 866, 868. The exemplary input opening 864spans a distance of about 20 mm in the longitudinal direction.Specifically, the input opening 864 spans a distance d_(f) of 10 mm inthe forward direction from the center line 859 located between the frontpinch rollers 872, 874, 876 and rear pinch rollers 878, 880, 882, and adistance d_(r) of 10 mm in the rearward direction from the center line859. This configuration allows the bills 502 to be still guided to thefront and rear pinch rollers 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882 even when thealignment of the output of the bill accepting device or other sheetdelivery device is off with respect to the input opening 864.

As seen in FIG. 90, a waffle configuration is imparted to intermediatesheets by the front and rear pinch rollers 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882to assist the bills 502 moving through the chest transport mechanism856. In particular, the waffle configuration induces a wavyconfiguration into a bill 502 such that the beam strength of the bill isincreased in the direction that it is moving. This waffle configurationis accomplished as follows. Referring to FIG. 90, each pair of front andrear rollers of the chest transport mechanism 856 is spaced from eachother in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis536 of the cassette 500. A front axle 884 extends through each of thefront pinch rollers 872, 874, 876 and is rotatably supported by theright and left mounting plates 886, 888 (FIG. 88). The front pinchrollers 872, 874, 876 are in operatively fixed engaged relation with thefront axle 884 and rotate with the front axle 884. A rear axle 890extends through each of the rear pinch rollers 878, 880, 882 and is alsorotatably supported by the right and left mounting plates 886, 888. Therear pinch rollers 878, 880, 882 are in operatively fixed engagedrelation with the rear axle 890 and rotate with the rear axle 890. Theaxles 884, 890 are rotated by the stepper motor 860. Other types ofmotor or suitable drives may alternatively be used to rotate therollers. As viewed in FIG. 89, the rear pinch rollers 878, 880, 882 arerotated in the clockwise direction (arrow F) and the front rollers 872,874, 876 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction (arrow G) to moveor transport the bill 502 engaged between them downwardly through outputpassage 892.

Referring to FIG. 90, the rear roller 878 of the left pair of rollers(as viewed in cross section) is defined by left and right cylindricalportions 894, 896. The right portion 896 has an axial thickness that isless than that of the left portion 894. The right portion 896 alsoextends radially outward relative to the rotating axis of the roller 878at a distance that is greater than that of the left portion 894. Thefront roller 872 faces the left portion 894 and has an axial thicknessthat is less than that of the left portion 894. The front roller 872 isalso aligned with the left portion 894 such that the left axial ends ofthe rollers 872, 878 are flush with each other. The front roller 874 ofthe center pair of rollers is defined by left, center, and rightcylindrical portions 898, 900, 902. The left and right portions 898, 902has the same axial thickness and extend radially outward relative to therotating axis of the roller 874 at the same distance. The center portion900 has an axial thickness that is greater than that of the left andright portions but extends radially outward relative to the rotatingaxis of the roller 874 at a distance that is less than that of the leftand right portions 898, 902. The rear roller 880 of the center pair ofrollers faces the center portion 900 and is axially located in thecenter of the center portion 900. The right portion 896 of the rearroller 878 of the left pair of rollers extends forwardly such that itoverlies the left portion 898 of the front roller 874 of the center pairof rollers.

The rear roller 882 of the right pair of rollers is defined by left andright cylindrical portions 904, 906. The left portion 904 has an axialthickness that is less than that of the right portion 906. The leftportion 904 also extends radially outward relative to the rotating axisof the roller 882 at a distance that is greater than that of the rightportion 906. The left portion 904 also extends forwardly such that itoverlies the right portion 902 of the front roller 874 of the centerpair of rollers. The front roller 876 of the right pair of rollers facesthe right portion 906 and has an axial thickness that is less than thatof the right portion 906. The front roller 876 is also aligned with theright portion 906 such that the right axial ends of the rollers 876, 882are flushed with each other.

As seen in FIG. 90, when a bill or other sheet is engaged between thefront and rear rollers of each pair, the bill 502 extends forwardlygoing from the left portion 894 to the right portion 896 of the rearroller 878 of the left pair of rollers due to the different diameters ofthe portions. The bill then extends rearwardly going from the rightportion 896 of the rear roller 878 to the left portion 898 of the frontroller 874 of the center pair of rollers since these portions overlieeach other. The bill 502 then extends forwardly going from the leftportion 898 to the central portion 900 of the front roller 874 and thenrearwardly going from the central portion 900 to the right portion 902of the front roller 874 due to the different diameters of theseportions. The bill 502 then extends forwardly going from the rightportion 902 of the front roller 874 to the left portion 904 of rearroller 882 of the right pair of rollers since these portions overlieeach other. The bill extends rearwardly going from the left portion 904to the right portion 906 of the rear roller 882 of right pair of rollersdue to the different diameters of the portions. Thus, waves orconvolutions are formed in bill 502 to increase its beam and bendingstrength. When installed in the automated banking machine, the chesttransport mechanism 856 extends into an opening 907 (FIG. 83) in the topwall 542 of the chest 16 as seen in FIG. 78. The top portion of thechest transport includes front and rear flanges 908, 910 (FIG. 87) thatare operatively mounted to the top surface of the top wall 542 to securethe chest transport mechanism 856 to the top wall 542 of the chest 16.

To install the exemplary cassette 500 into the chest 16, the chest dooris first opened. A servicer lifts and grasps the carrying handle 534 andaligns and slidably inserts the left and right side rails 728, 730 intotheir corresponding inner slide members 780, 796 of the left and rightslide assemblies 732, 734, as illustrated in FIG. 91. The cassette 500may be moved forwardly until the handle 534, which is in the verticalcarrying position, abuts or is adjacent the rear edge of the top wall542 of the chest 16 as illustrated in FIG. 92. The handle 534 is thenmoved to its horizontal storage position as seen in FIG. 93. The rearwall 510 of the cassette 500 is then pushed forwardly either by a handor a foot of the servicer against the force of the springs acting on theslides until generally the entire left and right side rails 728, 730extend into their corresponding inner slide members 780, 796 of the leftand right slide assemblies 732, 734 and contact the magnetic stops 792,808 as illustrated in FIG. 94. The cassette 500 is continued to bepushed forwardly until the push-to-release latch 820 extends into thelatch opening 532 of the cassette 500 and latches onto a female coupling912 (FIG. 86) operatively secured to the cassette 500. This actionplaces the cassette 500 in the docking position as illustrated in FIG.56.

As the cassette 500 is inserted and moved, rollers 914 (FIG. 79)embedded in and that extend outward from the top portion 504 of thecassette 500 ride along the bottom surface of the platen 812, and therollers 832, 834 of the sensor plate assembly 810 ride along the topsurface of the top portion 504 to facilitate movement of the cassette500. Also, allowing the sensor plate assembly 810 to ride along the topsurface of the top portion 504 may maintain more precise verticaltolerances between the optical sensors 694, 696 and the cassette. Thelatch 820 secures the cassette in the Z (front and rear) direction (FIG.84). In this docking position too, the pinion gear 604 of the motor 608extends into and engages the input coupling 604 of the drive shaft 598,and the docking pins 818 are extended into the docking pin slots 530 ofthe cassette 500 to secure the cassette 500 in the X (right and left)and Y (up and down) directions (FIG. 84). The shoulder screw 846 andslot 844 engagement also results from movement of the cassette relativeto the machine in the X direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 78 and 83, inthe docking position, the sensor plate assembly 810 is positioned uponthe top portion 504 of the cassette 500 such that the components of thesensor plate assembly 810 are aligned with their respective componentsof the top portion 504. In particular, the front and rear reflectivesensors 694, 696 are positioned over their respective lens-coveredopenings 698, 700 and the opening 852 of the platen 812 spans the inputopening 544 of the top portion 504 to exposed the input opening 544 tothe chest transport mechanism. As seen in FIG. 78, the funnel shapeinput opening 544 of the top portion 504 spans a sufficient distancebeyond the output passage 892 of the chest transport mechanism 856 toallow for variations in positioning locations of the output passage 892.

To remove the exemplary cassette 500, the chest door is first opened.The chest door may be opened after first unlocking a lock such as acombination lock or other suitable lock which generally operates to holdthe chest door in a closed position and prevent access to the chest byunauthorized persons. Upon opening of the lock, the service person mayoperate a lever or other suitable mechanism to move a boltwork from aposition holding the chest door in the closed position to a position inwhich the boltwork enables the chest door to be opened. Once theboltwork has been moved so that the door can be opened, a service personmay move the chest door relative to the chest so that the opening to thechest is then opened. To remove the exemplary cassette, the rear wall510 of the cassette 500 is pushed inwardly until the push-to-releaselatch 820 unlatches from the cassette 500. The force of the springs 790,806 cause the inner slide members 780, 796 to slide rearwardly along theouter slide members 774, 794. Rearward movement of the inner slidemembers 780, 796 causes the cassette 500 to move rearwardly followingthe hand or foot of the servicer until the cassette 500 extends beyondthe rear perimeter of the chest 16 as seen in FIG. 94. It should benoted that this cassette position also provides a visual indication tothe servicer that the cassette 500 is not docked. The servicer thengrasps the rear hand grip 518 and pulls the cassette 500 rearwardlyuntil the side rails 728, 730 disengage from the inner slide members780, 796. Left and right stops 793, 809 operatively mounted on the leftand right walls 760, 762 of the frame 757 will engage their respectivemagnetic stops 792, 808 to prevent the inner slide members 796, 780 fromsliding further rearwardly and disengaging from their respective outerslide members 794, 774. To return the machine to an operative position,a new cassette may be installed replacing the cassette that has beenremoved from the machine. This may be done in the manner previouslydescribed by engaging the cassette with the rails and moving it inwardlyuntil the cassette is latched in position. Thereafter the service personmay close the chest door and move the boltwork so that the boltworkagain holds the chest door in a position closing the chest opening. Theuser may then reset the lock or otherwise place the chest door in asecured position. As can be appreciated, the exemplary embodimentprovides for changing of the cassette without a requirement forconnecting or disconnecting electrical connections for sensors or thelike. This may generally reduce the risk of error or misconnections thatcan result in failures or improper machine operation. Further, inexemplary arrangements the magnetic sensing arrangement for positioningof the cam which controls how sheets are directed into the interior areaof the cassette is sensed via magnetic sensors located externally of thecassette and which are automatically in the operative position when thecassette is placed in a condition for receiving sheets. This furtherfacilitates reliable operation of the exemplary embodiment. Of course itshould be understood that these arrangements and structures areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Thus the exemplary embodiments achieve at least some of the above statedobjectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices, systems and methods, solve problems and attain the desirableresults described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art as being capable of performing the recited function,and shall not be deemed limited to the structures shown in the foregoingdescription or mere equivalents thereof. The provision of an abstractherewith likewise shall not be construed as limiting the claims to thefeatures or functions described in the abstract.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships are setforth in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus operative responsive to data read from databearing records, comprising: an automated banking machine including: acard reader, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data fromuser cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts, adisplay, wherein the display is operative to provide outputs to machineusers, at least one processor associated with the machine, wherein theat least one processor is in operative connection with the card readerof the display, and wherein the at least one processor is operative tocause financial transfers involving accounts corresponding to the carddata, wherein the machine includes at least one sheet receiving opening,wherein the at least one sheet receiving opening is configured toreceive sheets into the machine for machine users, at least one sheetanalysis device, wherein the at least one sheet analysis device isoperative to evaluate indicia on sheets received into the machinethrough the at least one sheet receiving opening, a cassette, whereinthe cassette is configured to hold a plurality of sheets within aninterior area thereof, wherein the cassette is removably positionablewithin the machine, wherein in an operative position in the machine thecassette is enabled to receive sheets processed by the at least onesheet analysis device, a drive, wherein the drive is mounted inoperatively supported connection with the machine outside and separatefrom the cassette, a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is movablymounted on the cassette, wherein the drive shaft is removablyoperatively engageable with the drive, wherein in the operative positionof the cassette, the drive shaft is in operative connection with thedrive, at least one sheet guide, wherein the at least one sheet guide ismovably mounted in the interior area of the cassette, wherein the atleast one sheet guide is operative to selectively direct moving sheetsin the interior area toward a plurality of different directions, atleast one sheet moving member in the interior area, wherein the at leastone sheet moving member is operative to engagingly move sheets in theinterior area, at least one clutch, wherein the at least one clutch isin operative connection with the drive shaft, the at least one sheetguide, and the at least one sheet moving member, wherein rotation of thedrive shaft in a first rotational direction is operative to causemovement of the at least one sheet moving member and not the at leastone sheet guide, and rotation of the drive shaft in an opposedrotational direction is operative to cause movement of the at least onesheet guide but not the at least one sheet moving member.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cassette includes a coupling,and wherein the machine includes a releasible latch, and wherein thecassette is held in the operative position through engagement of thelatch and coupling, and wherein the cassette is movable from theoperative position responsive to movement of the coupling and the latchfurther together, whereby the coupling and the latch disengage.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2 wherein the cassette includes a pair ofdisposed rail portions, wherein the machine includes a pair of disposedslides, wherein in the operative position of the cassette, each cassetterail is engaged with a respective slide.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 3 wherein at least one slide is in operative connection with aspring, wherein the cassette in operative position with the at least oneslide, is biased by the spring in a direction away from the latch. 5.The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the machine includes at leastone pin external and separate from the cassette, wherein the cassetteincludes at least one pin accepting slot, wherein in the operativeposition of the cassette, the at least one pin extends in the at leastone pin accepting slot.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe automated banking machine includes a pair of pins, and wherein thepins are disposed on opposed sides of the latch, wherein the cassetteincludes a pair of pin engaging slots, wherein the slots are disposed onopposed sides of the coupling.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4wherein the cassette includes at least one projecting member, andwherein the machine includes at least one member accepting slot separatefrom and external from the cassette, wherein in the operative positionof the cassette, the at least one projecting member extends in the atleast one member accepting slot.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7wherein the machine includes at least one pin external and separate fromthe cassette, wherein the cassette includes at least one pin acceptingslot, and wherein in the operative position of the cassette the at leastone pin extends in the at least one pin accepting slot.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 3 wherein the cassette includes a magnet, wherein themagnet is operative to produce a magnetic field, and wherein the magnetis in operative connection with the at least one sheet guide, a sensor,wherein the sensor is mounted on the machine outside and separate fromthe cassette, wherein in the operative position of the cassette thesensor is operable to detect at least one property of the magnetic fieldcorresponding to at least one position of the at least one sheet guide.10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the cassette includes atleast one cam, wherein the at least one cam is in operative connectionwith the drive shaft, wherein the at least one cam is in operativeconnection with the at least one sheet guide, and wherein rotation ofthe at least one cam is operative to cause movement of the at least onesheet guide, wherein the magnet is in operative connection with the atleast one cam.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein thecassette includes at least one window, wherein the machine includes atleast one further sensor, and wherein in the operative position of thecassette, the at least one further sensor is operatively aligned withthe at least one window, wherein in the operative position of thecassette, the at least one further sensor is operative to determine alocation of a top of a sheet pile in a portion of the interior areagenerally aligned with the window.
 12. The apparatus according to claim11 wherein the drive is operative to move the at least one sheet guideto cause moving sheets in the interior area to be directed at least oneof toward and away from the portion of the interior area generallyaligned with the at least one further sensor.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12 wherein the cassette includes a plurality ofdisposed windows, wherein the machine includes a plurality of furthersensors, each sensor aligned with a respective one of the windows whenthe cassette is in the operative position, wherein the drive isoperative to move the at least one sheet guide to direct moving sheetsin the interior area to be directed toward a plurality of disposedportions within the interior area responsive at least in part to theplurality of further sensors.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13wherein the cassette interior area includes at least one bin, andwherein the at least one sheet guide is selectively movable to directmoving sheets in the interior area into the at least one bin and outsidethe at least one bin.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 11 whereinthe at least one drive is operative to substantially slow sheet speed ofmoving sheets in the interior area prior to the sheets disengaging fromthe at least one sheet moving member.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein the interior area of the cassette includes at least oneflexible member, wherein the at least one flexible member is operativeto engage sheets and slow sheet speed prior to sheets disengaging fromthe at least one sheet moving member.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one sheet analysis device includes at leastone of a check reader and a bill validator.
 18. Apparatus comprising: anautomated banking machine cassette, wherein the cassette is removablypositionable in a cash dispensing automated banking machine thatoperates responsive at least in part to data read from user cards,wherein the cassette is configured to hold a plurality of sheetsreceived by the machine during user operation within an interior area ofthe cassette, a drive shaft rotatably movably mounted on the cassette,wherein the drive shaft is releasibly engageable with a drive in themachine, and wherein the drive shaft is in operative connection with thedrive when the cassette is in the operative position within the machine,wherein the cassette includes in the interior area at least one movablesheet guide, and wherein the at least one sheet guide is operative tomove to direct moving sheets toward a plurality of different directions,wherein the interior area includes at least one sheet moving member,wherein the at least one sheet moving member includes at least one of abelt and roller, and wherein the at least one sheet moving member isoperative to engage and move sheets in engagement therewith in theinterior area, wherein the drive shaft is in operative connection withthe at least one sheet guide and the at least one sheet moving member,wherein rotation of the drive shaft in a first rotational directioncauses movement of the at least one sheet moving member but not the atleast one sheet guide, and wherein movement of the drive shaft in anopposed rotational direction causes movement of the at least one sheetguide but not the at least one sheet moving member.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 18 wherein the drive shaft is in operative connectionwith at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet is operativeto produce a magnetic field sensable by at least one sensor positionedoutside and separate from the cassette in the machine, and wherein thesensor is usable to determine at least one position of the at least onesheet guide.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein thecassette includes a plurality of windows, wherein each of the windowsenable respective further sensors outside the cassette in the machine tosense a level of sheets in a plurality of respective portions within theinterior area corresponding to the respective windows, and wherein theat least one sheet guide is movable to selectively direct sheets movingin the interior area towards each of the respective portions.
 21. Theapparatus according to claim 20 and further comprising: an automatedbanking machine that operates responsive at least in part to data readfrom user cards, wherein the cassette is removably positioned in themachine, a card reader, wherein the card reader is operative to readdata from user cards corresponding to financial accounts, at least oneof a check reader and a bill validator operative to analyze sheets inputby users to the machine, wherein sheets moved through at least one ofthe check reader and the bill validator are received in the cassettewhen the cassette is in the operative position, at least one processorassociated with the machine, wherein the at least one processor is inoperative connection with the card reader and wherein the at least oneprocessor is operative to cause a determination to be made that carddata read from a user card corresponds to a financial account authorizedto conduct transactions with the machine, and to cause a financialtransfer at least one or to and from the account responsive at least inpart to the determination.